Matches between Algeria and Morocco are raising alarm bells in France

French media reports have revealed that French authorities have prepared a special security plan to monitor the fallout from the 2026 World Cup, with a number of teams and matches classified as events that require strict security controls throughout the tournament.

According to L’Equipe newspaper, authorities have drawn up a list that includes a number of teams whose matches could witness large crowds in French territory, prompting authorities to prepare early for potential security challenges with the World Cup, scheduled for June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Algeria tops the list of matches to watch

According to the report, Algeria matches top the list of matches enjoying the highest level of security, followed by France, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal, as well as Iran, given geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

French authorities expect large numbers of fans to take to the streets and squares to celebrate or watch the matches of these teams, which may require additional security measures to ensure public order is maintained.

The question will become even more important when two of these teams meet in Group Nine, which includes France and Senegal together, where they will meet in their opening group matches on June 16.

Flexible security plans according to game schedule

The newspaper noted that the security services will adjust their field plans according to the timing of the matches, especially if some matches will be played late at night or at dawn, due to the time difference between the tournament hosts France and the North American countries.

Security measures are also expected to gradually increase as the tournament progresses, especially in the knockout rounds, which typically attract more public interest.

Reactions to the events of the Champions League final

These preparations follow security incidents in the capital Paris and other French cities after Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League title, as these events prompted the authorities to increase the level of preparedness ahead of the start of the World Cup.

During that period, France’s interior ministry deployed around 22,000 police and gendarmerie personnel, including 8,000 in Paris and its suburbs, as part of one of the biggest security plans the country has ever seen at a sporting event.

In just two days, France witnessed more than 890 arrests due to riots and unrest accompanying the celebrations, a 45% increase compared to similar events in 2025, according to statements by French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez.

The minister also confirmed that 178 members of the police and gendarmerie were infected during the security operations, which prompted the authorities to be cautious about the mass gatherings expected during the next World Cup.