Updated

Updated · POLITICO · Jul 9

France Bans Fireworks Before Morocco Quarterfinal as 1.7 Million-Strong Diaspora Raises Unrest Fears

Updated

Updated · POLITICO · Jul 9

France Bans Fireworks Before Morocco Quarterfinal as 1.7 Million-Strong Diaspora Raises Unrest Fears

Q: What would a historic back-to-back World Cup truly add to Lionel Messi's already immortal legacy?

A second straight World Cup would move Lionel Messi’s legacy from complete to virtually untouchable. Messi already has what most greats spend careers chasing: a World Cup title, records for goals and assists at the tournament, and a body of club and international work that has placed him at the center of the greatest-of-all-time debate. What back-to-back titles would add is not basic validation, but a rarer kind of historical authority: proof that he was the defining figure of an era, not just the best player in a single triumph. That matters because repeat champions are almost nonexistent in World Cup history. Only Italy in 1934 and 1938 and Brazil in 1958 and 1962 have done it. No nation has repeated in the modern era, and recent defending champions have often struggled even to make deep runs. If Argentina were to do it in 2026, Messi would become the face of one of the rarest achievements in the sport. It would also sharpen the comparison with every other legend. Pelé won three World Cups, but football’s modern competitive depth, tactical sophistication and global parity make a repeat title now especially difficult. For Messi, doing it at 39, as captain, would add longevity, leadership and sustained elite influence to a résumé already described as complete. So the real addition would be this: not merely another trophy, but a unique claim to having led the last truly dominant World Cup dynasty, something football has not seen for decades.

3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 9

Paris police barred flares and fireworks for Thursday night’s France-Morocco World Cup quarterfinal, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said officers would be “extremely vigilant” during any celebrations.
The precautions reflect recurring post-match violence in France, including clashes after 20,000 people celebrated Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League title in May, even as officials say gatherings will not be automatically dispersed.
A private risk note cited by Le Parisien said the knockout match carries elevated danger because of the stakes, though previous France-Morocco games — including the 2022 World Cup semifinal — brought arrests but no major unrest.
The security focus comes despite unusually warm Paris-Rabat ties since Macron backed Morocco’s Western Sahara plan in 2024, with officials also wary that any disorder could be exploited by France’s far right ahead of 2027.