The French Minister of Sports calls for vigilance.

French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari called today, Thursday, for everyone to "take on their responsibilities" on the occasion of the quarter-final match of the 2026 World Cup, held in North America, between her country's team and the Moroccan team, emphasizing that "the higher the intensity of competition in the knockout stages, the greater the risks of excesses."

Ferrari's call came in an interview with France Info radio on the day of the renewed encounter between France and Morocco, who faced each other in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where "Les Bleus" emerged victorious in the semi-finals before losing the title to Argentina and Lionel Messi.

France will meet Morocco today, Thursday, at 10 PM Paris time, in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and French authorities classify the matches involving the Moroccan team as "high risk."

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez had previously requested "enhanced security measures" in anticipation of upcoming matches in the World Cup, warning that "no excesses will be tolerated," in a memo sent on July 1 to governors, police and gendarmerie officials, Paris police, and internal security.

Ferrari stated today, Thursday: "I urge everyone to take responsibility; it should remain a sports celebration," adding: "The higher the intensity of competition in the knockout stages, the greater the risks of excesses. Therefore, we are naturally on alert with clear instructions from the Interior Minister sent to all prefectures to enhance security measures, exercise the utmost vigilance, intervene very quickly, not tolerate any excesses, and take measures to prohibit the sale of alcohol in public places when necessary."

The government official concluded by saying: "We are preparing in the hope that this evening will remain, above all, a sports celebration."

Before the World Cup began, the National Directorate of Public Security warned of the risks of "excesses across the country," with the possibility of "noisy and festive processions, car parades, spontaneous gatherings on public roads, and the launching of fireworks..." on the sidelines of matches involving teams like Morocco, Algeria, or Turkey.