Morocco's Youth Leads Mass Protests Condemn Govt. for Lavishly Spending on the 2030 FIFA World Cup

Since Saturday, September 27, Morocco has been gripped by sustained, youth-led protests that challenge the country’s development priorities.

The movement—largely organized through social media platforms like Discord, TikTok, and Instagram—demands urgent reform in public services while condemning massive state spending on infrastructure for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. 

At the heart of the unrest is a sharp rhetorical contrast: protesters chant, “Stadiums are here — but where are the hospitals?”

The outrage was intensified by a tragic incident in Agadir, where eight women died during childbirth at a public hospital—widely seen as a symptom of deep systemic neglect. 

Protesters assert that while billions are allocated for stadium construction and event infrastructure, hospitals and schools remain chronically underfunded. 

Clashes have erupted across cities and towns, notably in Oujda, Inezgane, Ait Amira, and Casablanca. In Oujda, a viral video showed a police van striking a protester, leaving him seriously injured.

Meanwhile, in Inezgane and Ait Amira, protestors set fires, overturned vehicles, and clashed with security forces. Authorities have detained hundreds, though many were later released. However, 37 individuals, including three in custody, are slated to stand trial beginning on October 7.

Arrests were also reported in Casablanca for alleged obstruction of traffic. Some detainees are minors. Human rights groups and the Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) have condemned the arrests, asserting violations of constitutional rights to protest and expression. 

The protests are spearheaded by a movement calling itself Gen Z 212, referencing Morocco’s international dialing code. It operates without formal leadership or political party affiliation and emphasizes decentralized, networked activism.

The movement recently held an internal vote among its members on whether to sustain protests beyond October 1. So far, traditional political parties have struggled to engage meaningfully with Gen Z 212—some opposition figures calling for restraint or dialogue. 

Under mounting pressure, the government led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch broke its silence and pledged a “positive” response to the demands. The parliamentary majority plans to convene Thursday to debate healthcare and hospital reforms. Meanwhile, authorities maintain that investment in sports facilities does not come at the expense of public well-being, arguing that the healthcare challenges were inherited. 

The protests have drawn support from public figures, including the national footballer Yassine Bounou and rapper El Grande Toto. Amnesty International and other advocacy groups have urged the government to respond to the youth’s demands, stop repressive tactics, and respect civil liberties. 

As the protests enter their fourth night, momentum shows no sign of receding. Observers warn that this could mark a turning point in Moroccan civic life: a generational confrontation over the social contract, state priorities, and citizens’ right to demand dignity, not just spectacle. 

This article was previously published on kuwaitmoments. To see the original article, click here