FOOTBALL is one of the great unifiers in world sports, something which becomes even more prevalent at the World Cup.
However, Argentina and Algeria fans were left feeling the heat as they saw red with one another before their countries met on the pitch.
Sign up for the Football newsletter
Thank you!
Argentina and Algeria fans clashed in Times Square Credit: Reuters
Thugs were seen throwing punches and kicks at one another Credit: Reuters
It is one of the first reported instances of fan violence at the World Cup Credit: Reuters
The clash in Times Square came hours before the nations face one another in Kansas City Credit: Reuters
The World Champions face the North African nation in Kansas City on Tuesday evening local time, and in the early hours of Wednesday morning in the UK.
But around 1,200 miles away in Times Square, New York, fans wearing the blue and white of Argentina were seen brawling with rivals in the white and green of Algeria.
Video captured at the scene showed thugs wildly swinging punches and kicks at one another.
TMZ reported fan cheers and chanting had turned into jibes and jabs towards one another before it spilt over into violence.
WORLDIE OFFERS
World Cup 2026 free bets and offers: Best new football sign-up deals
RUN OUT OF TOWN
Iran claim they’ve been forced to leave USA minutes after World Cup opener
Footage showed children and innocent bystanders getting caught up in the huge melee, as the thuggish behaviour put a dampener on World Cup spirits.
The ugly scenes saw police get involved to defuse the situation.
Fans on social media slammed the violence, with one saying: “Not looking good.”
A second said: “What a mess.”
WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS
World Cup 2026 – all the info
LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!
This year’s World Cup is like no other as a record-breaking 48 nations compete to lift football’s biggest prize.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is hoping to finally bring football home after a 60-year drought.
But footballing legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have other plans in what will likely be their final World Cup appearance.
JattvibeSport have got everything you need for the huge tournament
LATEST NEWS
KEY INFO
VIDEO
TIPS AND BETTING
If you click a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue.
A third added: “What a shame.”
It is one of the first widely reported cases of fan violence and antisocial behaviour at the tournament.
The other match in Group J will see Jordan face Austria.
