24 June,2026 06:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Jordan fans cheering their team (Pic: AFP)
Qatari police have detained 25 individuals after a violent restaurant fight broke out in Doha's Dafna district following Algeria's 2-1 FIFA World Cup 2026 win against Jordan.
A large-scale physical altercation involving Algerian and Jordanian football supporters in Doha on Tuesday led to the arrest of over two dozen individuals during the World Cup match between the two nations.
Footage on social media platforms captured a chaotic scene inside a restaurant in Doha's Dafna neighbourhood, showing men hurling chairs at one another, while security teams attempted to step in and break up the fight. At least one person was seen suffering from a head wound, with blood visible in the video clips.
The cause of the dispute remains unconfirmed, and the authenticity of the recordings, as well as the identities of those captured in the footage, could not be independently verified.
The physical confrontation unravelled while thousands of miles away in Santa Clara, California, Algeria secured a 2-1 win over Jordan, boosting their chances of advancing out of the group phase.
In an official statement released early Wednesday morning, Qatar's Interior Ministry clarified that the dispute involved a fight between several individuals at a restaurant, emphasising that the actions of those involved broke local statutes, put civilians and properties in jeopardy, and compromised societal peace and stability.
The government entity reasserted that firm judicial measures would be pursued against anyone determined to have compromised public safety or breached the law. However, the official report did not break down the specific citizenships of the detained individuals.
The physical altercation broke out shortly after Algeria finalised their 2-1 group stage victory over Jordan on Tuesday.
Jordan initially seized the upper hand during the first half of the match after a goal from Nizar Al Rashdan. However, Algeria mounted a second-half comeback, with Nadhir Benbouali pulling his side level before Amine Gouiri delivered the decisive blow, netting the winning goal in the 82nd minute.
The win keeps Algeria's hopes of qualifying for the tournament's knockout rounds alive, and it confirmed Jordan's elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026. Messi-inspired Argentina are set to top the group heading into the next round.
