France vs Morocco press conference spirals into chaos as fight breaks out in media room: ‘He hit me!’

The two journalists were asked to remain silent by others in attendance, before officials were forced to intervene.

Published on: Jul 9, 2026, 17:19:06 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is turning into a complete disaster. In its latest comedy of errors, Brahim Diaz's pre-match press conference for France vs Morocco descended into total chaos, requiring two media members to be separated.

Brahim Diaz was silenced as a pair of journalists got into a heated altercation. (Getty Images via AFP)

Diaz spoke to the media ahead of the quarter-final match, which is also a rematch of the 2022 semi-final. The midfielder was silenced as a pair of journalists got into a heated altercation. They were asked to remain silent by others in attendance, before officials were forced to intervene.

Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo breaks down in tears as final FIFA World Cup ends in heartbreak after Spain's late winner

‘But why did you hit me? You can’t hit me'

During the altercation, one journalist shouted, "But why did you hit me? But why did you hit me? You can't hit me."

"He hit me!"

After the press conference resumed, Diaz was asked to resume speaking, and he hilariously claimed, “I forgot the question.”

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For France, it will be their toughest test in this tournament. They cruised into the last eight in style, scoring 14 goals in five matches. Seven of them came from Kylian Mbappe.

But Morocco has been equally impressive, as they edged past the Netherlands in the Round of 32 and then thrashed co-hosts Canada.

The winner will book a berth in the semi-final, taking on the winner between Spain and Belgium.

Morocco will be without star striker Ismael Saibari. He suffered a hamstring injury in the first half against Canada and has failed to recover in time.

Speaking ahead of the match, Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said, "With regards to preparing for the match, there will not be any surprises. I have nothing to hide. I'm not somebody who is keen on surprises, and those of you who have analysed our games, you know that we have a clear idea of how we want to play."

"Of course, the key will be to hurt them when we have possession, but it's not only on the wings. We have to be patient with the ball, and to find where we can go through on the sides or in the centre.

"We've proven that we can hurt any team, and that's the goal. But I'm not going to go into too many details.

"Every match is different, has its own context, its own history, and it's not going to be the same as in 2022.

"What is important is that now we have a team that is different. We're going to face a different French team than the one from four years ago. Both teams are even better, and that's normal because we are two federations, two countries that work very well," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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