'No World Cup, health first': Gen Z protests reach Morocco

Published September 29th, 2025 - 05:55 GMT
Moroccan security forces
Moroccan security forces detain protesters during a youth-led demonstration for social justice and demanding improvements in the public health and education sectors, in front of the parliament building in Rabat, on September 28, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)

ALBAWABA - Generation Z (Gen Z) protests erupted in several cities in Morocco, where demonstrators rallied against unemployment and corruption, in addition to calling for social justice.

Moroccan cities have witnessed protests since Friday, attributed to "Gen Z" (people born between 1997 and 2012). Slogans raised focused on education, health, employment, the fight against corruption, and social justice.

Among the chants that protesters were heard saying "No World Cup, health first" as they demonstrated against the country's hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2030. It is worth noting that on Dec. 11, 2024, FIFA confirmed that the 2030 World Cup will jointly take place in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.

Moroccan Security forces prevented attempts to organize other protests in other cities, including Casablanca and Rabat, dispersing the gatherings and arresting activists whose slogans called for social justice.

Social media has recently been abuzz with calls for demonstrations on September 27 and 28. This generation is increasingly connected to modern digital technology and social media.

The idea of Gen Z protests came from Nepal, where young people called for an end to the corruption, in addition to protesting against the ban imposed by the former government on social media websites, including YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. 

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