Morocco's Youth Demand Hospitals Over Stadiums: A Call for Change

Mon Oct 20 2025 23:10:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Moroccan protests highlight the urgent need for hospitals as the nation prepares to build the world's largest football stadium for the 2030 World Cup.

In Morocco, a series of protests led by the youth group Gen Z 212 are calling for essential social services over sports infrastructure. As the country invests $5 billion into a massive football stadium for the upcoming 2030 World Cup, demonstrators chant demands for better healthcare, education, and housing. The protests, inspired by similar movements globally, reflect frustration over government priorities following tragic incidents in healthcare. Despite violence and arrests, the protests continue to grow as young Moroccans fight for change.

Morocco is currently building what will be the globe's largest football stadium in preparation for co-hosting the 2030 World Cup.

However, demonstrators across the nation argue this $5 billion investment prioritizes sports over essential needs. Young activist Hajar Belhassan expresses the sentiment by stating, I want my country to be better. I don’t want to resent my country for choosing to stay.

Coordinated by the group Gen Z 212, protests have surged since September 27, with slogans declaring No World Cup, health comes first and demands for improved healthcare and education. The government's prioritization of a massive stadium instead of addressing health crisis situations—like the tragic deaths of eight women in a hospital—has sparked outrage.

Arrests have been made, with over 400 individuals detained as clashes have turned violent, leading to tragic consequences. Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has offered dialogue, but protesters state their commitment to continue until real change occurs.

The demands include quality education, accessible healthcare, and job opportunities, highlighting a growing frustration with underfunded public services that are overshadowed by extravagant sporting investments.

“We want to host the FIFA World Cup, but let’s also build our education and health systems,” says Belhassan, reiterating the protest's core message: prioritizing people over projects.