'He hit me' - World Cup press conference interrupted by scuffle as FIFA forced to intervene

A press conference ahead of the first World Cup quarter-final descended into chaos as two journalists got into it while Brahim Diaz was answering a question.

The next stage of the competition kicks off on Thursday night with two-time winners squaring off against France in a rematch of the 2022 semi-final in Qatar.

But one of the most bizarre moments of the 2026 showpiece took place in the presser, where Morocco star Diaz and manager Mohamed Ouahbi were speaking to the media.

When Diaz was answering a question and discussing the mentality Morocco will have going into the game, he was interrupted by journalists in the room who began to yell.

In footage which circulated online, Diaz looked absolutely stunned and stopped talking as a reporter was heard saying, “But why did you hit me? But why did you hit me? You can’t hit me".

Press officers from both the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) and FIFA were forced to get involved, with a voice heard telling them, 'Gentlemen, please'.

Despite staff getting involved, the playground-like scenario continued for a number of seconds and Diaz could not help but laugh at what was going on.

Journalists explains happened in surprise bust-up which stopped World Cup press conference

In the end, the argument came to a halt and an apology was issued to Diaz, who was urged to continue. However, the Real Madrid star was completely thrown off guard to the point that he forgot the question and it needed to be repeated.

An alternative, close-up angle shared by Sky Germany reporter Kerry Hau showed the journalists involved in the bust-up and the staff trying to get them to calm down as voices were raised.

Hau, who was present, said that the situation which occurred was a "completely crazy and embarrassing incident" that required intervention from FIFA staff.

Following up, Marcelo Courrege, one of the journalists involved in the spat, put out a statement explaining exactly what happened.

Courrege, who works for Globo in Brazil, said the issue was resolve and the two hugged and took a picture afterwards.

READ MORE: FIFA's unusual decision for France's World Cup quarter-final explained after fan questions emerge

On X, he wrote: "The Moroccan reporter was super eager to ask his question and kept raising his arm a few times, getting into the camera shots. I asked him twice not to raise it so high, and he started yelling at me. "He grabbed my arm, and I reacted. It was awkward in the moment, but afterward I explained it better but calmer, he understood. I apologized for the misunderstanding. He also apologized to me. We hugged, and he even took a photo. It’s Morocco’s game of life, against France, involving so many issues… The tension is totally understandable. It happened, but it passed.

Eventually the press conference did then continue and Diaz, who switched international allegiance from Spain to represent Morocco, expressed excitement and confidence for the clash in Boston.

He said: "We’re coming up against one of the favourites tomorrow, but we’re here because we can compete with France and we’re among the contenders too. We want to win tomorrow. We’ll give it everything we’ve got and perform to our best.

"I always take responsibility. I thrive on pressure. These are the matches every player wants to be involved in, and I’m ready. I feel confident ahead of tomorrow’s game, and I know we’ll give it our best shot."

Diaz will come up against his Real teammate Kylian Mbappe, who has seven goals in this year's World Cup. He could also line up opposite his club colleague Aurelien Tchouameni if he is deemed fit to play after recovering from a injury.

Asked about playing against his Los Blancos teammates, Diaz commented: "They’re extraordinary players and wonderful people. Tomorrow, however, we’ll be opponents, and we all want to win. That’s all that matters. I have faith in my team, and I know we’re going to put in a great performance."