- Young Moroccans are protesting government spending on football stadiums for the 2030 World Cup, demanding investment instead in healthcare, education and essential public services.
- The movement was sparked by the preventable deaths of eight women during childbirth at an Agadir maternity ward; protests have spread nationwide, with hundreds arrested amid clashes with police.
The Spark and the Slogans
On 27 September 2025, youth protests began in several Moroccan cities, including Agadir, Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech. The tipping point: eight women died in a hospital in Agadir during childbirth, in circumstances many say could have been prevented had the hospital had adequate staff, equipment and resources.
From that moment, chants such as “We want hospitals, not football stadiums” and “No World Cup—health comes first!” spread rapidly. The movement organising under the name Gen Z 212 (a reference to Morocco’s country code) has made its demands clear: redirect investment from high‑profile infrastructure for sporting events to health, education and social welfare.
Core Demands
Protesters have outlined a series of demands including:
Accessible, quality public healthcare across all regions.
Free or affordable education.
Better job opportunities, especially for the youth.
Real accountability and transparency in how public funds are allocated.
Scale, Organisation and Government Response
The protests have been large, despite being leaderless, and largely coordinated through social media platforms like Discord, TikTok, and Instagram.
Authorities have responded with arrests, deployment of riot police, and in some places violent clashes. At least three protesters have been reported killed (including in Lqliâa near Agadir) amid protests that have spread to both urban and rural towns. The government has defended its infrastructure plans, but has also acknowledged some failures in the health sector and begun dismissing certain local officials.
Broader Context: Unequal Services and Youth Disillusionment
Protesters argue that while large sums are being spent on building new stadiums and upgrading infrastructure for international sporting prestige, many hospitals remain underfunded, medical staff shortages persist, and basic healthcare is inaccessible in poorer or remote regions.
Many young people feel that their government has neglected their basic rights: the right to health, education, and a decent quality of life. Youth unemployment is high; public services are seen as unequal; and there is a widespread sense that political and social change has been slow or superficial.
The Road Ahead
The protesters have shown no sign of backing down. They are demanding concrete change, not just promises. Key upcoming moments include public addresses by senior political figures, and possibly the King’s intervention. How the government responds—whether by re‑allocating budget, reforming healthcare infrastructure, improving staffing, opening up genuine dialogue—will likely
