Fan rage, racist abuse and deadly violence after defeats

• Abuse of the South Korean coach

South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo faced boos, insults and death threats from fans after the team’s World Cup exit.

• Beckham’s public humiliation

David Beckham endured years of abuse, death threats and public humiliation following England’s 1998 World Cup defeat, including a curvy likeness and arrow boards.

• The rise of online racism

FIFA reported a significant increase in racist abuse online during the 2026 World Cup, with over 100 cases referred for legal action.

• Historic fan violence

Soccer-related violence has led to deaths, including riots in England (1990) and Mexico City (1998) following national team defeats.

• Festive riots

Celebrations of winning teams have also sparked clashes, such as Moroccan fans attacking police in The Hague after defeating the Netherlands.