On June 30, 2026, a 14-year-old boy named Wassim, holding both Algerian and American citizenship and residing in Boston, Massachusetts, got into a fight inside the Fan Zone in East Boston. This occurred during a match between the Moroccan national team and the Dutch national team in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
According to circulating media reports and videos posted on social media, Wassim was wearing an Algerian national team shirt and went to the Moroccan fan zone to watch the match. It is noted that he expressed his support for the Moroccan national team. Following a goal scored by the Dutch national team or after the end of the match, a fight broke out between Wassim and a group of people.
A young Algerian 🇩🇿 of 16 living in the United States went to support the #Morocco team:
He deserved to be attacked and lynched by a horde of Moroccans without faith or law 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/6vjTsowefb
— ۞Faïza۞🇨🇵🇩🇿🇪🇭🇵🇸 (@Faiza_etmoi) July 1, 2026
The child was transported to a Boston hospital to receive treatment for injuries to his head and back. Subsequent reports indicated that he left the hospital after receiving necessary medical care and that his health condition became stable under continuous medical monitoring.
Wassim’s father filed a lawsuit with the American authorities. The Algerian consulate in New York also filed a lawsuit regarding the incident. American authorities, including the Boston Police, opened an investigation into the incident. Some sources reported the arrest of seven individuals suspected of involvement in the incident.
Statements by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune confirmed that the Algerian authorities are closely monitoring the case. In a statement made to the press on July 2, 2026, he said: “The child Wassim has left the hospital… and we are closely monitoring his health status,” emphasizing in his statement that the child “holds American citizenship.”
President Tebboune added that “American justice will take its course in the case,” referring to ongoing communication with Algeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Sabri Boukadoum, and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Walid Saadi, while taking necessary measures with American justice and police. He also clarified that the Algerian embassy oversees related legal matters.
🚨The President of the Republic speaks about the aggression against young Wassim:
“We are closely following this case, the American police will clarify what happened.
Wassim is doing better and he will be present at the match between Algeria and Switzerland.” pic.twitter.com/NPCPYDkQyU
— Algeria Football Media 🇩🇿 (@DZFOOTBALLDZ) July 2, 2026
