On June 30, 2026, a 14-year-old boy named Wasim, who holds both Algerian and American citizenship and resides in Boston, Massachusetts, was involved in a fight in the Fan Zone in East Boston. This occurred during a match between Morocco and the Netherlands in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to media reports and videos posted on social media, Wasim, a young boy wearing an Algerian national team jersey, went to the Moroccan supporters’ section to watch the match. He reportedly expressed his support for the Moroccan team. After the Netherlands scored a goal, or at the end of the match, a fight broke out between Wasim and a group of people.
The boy was taken to a hospital in Boston for treatment of head and back injuries. Later reports indicated that he was released from the hospital after receiving necessary medical attention and that his condition stabilized under continued medical supervision.
The father of the boy, Wasim, filed a complaint with U.S. authorities. The Algerian consulate in New York also filed a complaint related to the incident. U.S. authorities, including the Boston police, opened an investigation. Some sources reported the arrest of seven people suspected of involvement in the incident.
Statements by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune
The President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, confirmed that Algerian authorities are closely monitoring the case. In a statement to the press on July 2, 2026, he said: “The child Wasim has been discharged from the hospital… and we are closely monitoring his health,” emphasizing in the statement that the child “has American citizenship.”
President Tebboune added that “the US justice system will take its course in this case,” noting ongoing communication with Algeria’s ambassador to the United States, Sabri Boukadoum, and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Walid Sadi, and that the necessary steps are being taken with US law enforcement and judicial authorities. He also explained that the Algerian embassy is overseeing the related legal matters.
