A quarrel between fans of Algeria and Argentina sparks a crisis in New York

A violent quarrel broke out between crowds of fans of the Argentine and Algerian football teams in the famous Times Square in New York, before the expected confrontation between the two teams at dawn today, Wednesday, in the 2026 World Cup, which resulted in immediate intervention by police forces to control the riot that sparked panic in one of the most lively tourist areas in the world.

The New York Post reported that the altercations began with an exchange of obscene gestures and verbal insults between the two groups at the intersection of 46th Street and the Broadway corridor in Manhattan, before the matter quickly turned into fistfights, mutual kicking and pushing, the use of sticks, and the throwing of solid materials and drinks into the air, which exposed some of the children and families present at the site to the risk of being run over as a result of the stampede and panic.

Press reports and international newspapers such as the French “Le Parisien” and sports websites such as “TUDN” reported that video clips spread on social media platforms showed calls from bystanders to calm down, before New York Police officers intervened decisively to break up the quarrel, as they arrested one of the fans and issued a criminal summons for him on charges of disorderly behavior and disturbing public security, while police sources confirmed that no official injuries were recorded as a result of the incident.

These unfortunate events come to open the discussion again about the preventive security measures used in the major cities hosting the World Cup events, at a time when the Argentine fans present in Kansas City set a different ideal model. Thousands of them gathered in peaceful, family marches with drums and traditional songs to support coach Lionel Scaloni’s battalion.