Moroccan and Dutch soccer fans transformed the streets and public spaces of Monterrey, Mexico, into a vibrant celebration on Monday, June 29, 2026, ahead of the highly anticipated round of 32 match between their national teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Supporters of the "Atlas Lions" and the "Oranje" filled local restaurants, plazas, and fan zones with red and orange colors.
They displayed mutual respect and a festive spirit.
Many fans traveled from nearby countries, particularly the United States, where both national teams previously established their base camps during the tournament's group stage.
The influx of supporters has deeply impacted the local atmosphere as the countdown continues toward the match kickoff at 19:00 local time.
Moroccan fans celebrated the team's presence in Monterrey, a city that holds historical significance as the site where Morocco became the first Arab and African nation to reach the round of 16 forty years ago.
"Ya لها من فرصة، كنت أحلم بالتواجد في مونتيري منذ زمن بعيد وخصوصاً بعدما شاهدت الأجواء وقتها في المدينة، عقب تأهل المغرب إلى الدور الثاني للمرة الأولى في تاريخه" said Said Al-Mokhaini, a 50-year-old real estate employee from Seattle, to Agence France-Presse.
Despite high temperatures in the Mexican city, hundreds of fans marched toward the stadium early to begin the festivities.
Many local Mexican fans even joined the Moroccan supporters while wearing their traditional green national team jerseys.
"الحماس والشغف ينسيانك حال الطقس كيفما كان نوعه، بارد أو حار، نحن هنا لتشجيع المنتخب وهذه فرصة لا تحظى بها كل يوم" said Zakaria Hermas, a 40-year-old fan wearing a Morocco jersey.
He expressed gratitude toward the host city for its hospitality and deep passion for soccer.
"شكراً لمونتيري خصوصاً والمكسيك عامة التي تقف دائماً إلى جانب المغاربة، وشغفها الكبير بكرة القدم" added Hermas.
On the other side, Dutch supporters created their own spectacular scenes, with a large contingent arriving on the famous "Orange Bus" after traveling nearly 2,000 kilometers from Kansas to the Mexican state of Nuevo Leon.
The visitors were welcomed by traditional Mexican Mariachi bands before joining the celebrations in the official fan zone.
"إنها أجواء رائعة تختلف كلياً عما نشهده في أوروبا، ونتمنى الفوز للأفضل" said Noah, a 65-year-old Dutch fan, to Agence France-Presse.
Local authorities have actively supported the event, with Nuevo Leon Governor Samuel Alejandro Garcia Sepulveda announcing that the state dedicated a new water park located 500 meters from Monterrey Stadium as a gathering point for Moroccan fans.
To accommodate the massive influx of supporters, Royal Air Maroc launched an extraordinary flight program consisting of 12 direct flights between Casablanca and Monterrey, marking the first time the airline has operated direct flights to Mexico.
