Toulouse imposes curfew on unaccompanied minors during World Cup’s high-risk matches

Toulouse curfew

Toulouse, France's fourth-largest city, announced on Thursday a nighttime curfew for unaccompanied minors under 16 during select World Cup matches deemed high-risk. The restriction, in force from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in the city center, will be activated at the discretion of Mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc's administration, in consultation with the prefecture.

“A curfew will be applied with discernment from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., for minors under 16 who are not accompanied by an adult.”

Moudenc pointed to the 2022 urban violence after the France-Morocco semifinal as a cautionary tale, and noted a broader increase in youth crime in recent years. The measure is explicitly preventive and targeted: only matches identified as "sensitive" — those with high local emotional stakes — will trigger the curfew.

Clermont-Ferrand acts earlier

The central French city of Clermont-Ferrand had already imposed a similar order earlier this week. Mayor Julien Bony set a curfew for unaccompanied minors under 16 from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. in the city center, with a 150-euro fine for violations. The decision was directly motivated by recent disturbances, including unrest following PSG's Champions League victory.

Fan zone for the French team

In parallel, Toulouse plans a fan zone able to host 18,000 spectators, located in front of the Toulouse stadium. The space will be operational from the quarter-finals onward, specifically on evenings when the French national team — featuring stars like Kylian Mbappé — takes the field. The aim is to provide a controlled environment for collective celebration.

World Cup context

The 2026 World Cup kicked off on June 11 with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, and runs through July 19 across venues in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. France is scheduled to debut on Tuesday against Senegal. With only select matches triggering the curfew, local authorities hope to balance safety with the festive spirit of the tournament.