U.S. Soccer is closely watching the situation in Morocco, but has not made any changes ahead of the U-17 Women’s World Cup, which features the U.S. women’s national youth team. The tournament starts in 11 days amid significant protests.
Protests Disrupting Morocco Ahead of Tournament
The U-17 Women’s World Cup will take place entirely in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. As players prepare to leave their clubs for the tournament, protests against the government have escalated, resulting in casualties.
The demonstrations are driven by frustration over excessive spending on the 2030 FIFA Men’s World Cup—co-hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal—rather than on public services. Protests began on September 27 and have continued nightly across major cities.
Details of the U-17 Women’s World Cup
The tournament will kick off on October 17 with Morocco facing Brazil. This will be the ninth edition of the U-17 Women’s World Cup, featuring 24 nations, including the U.S., which has yet to win.
Morocco is demonstrating its commitment to football by hosting various major tournaments, including the men’s Africa Cup of Nations. This U-17 event marks the first time an African nation is hosting the tournament, with Morocco set to continue hosting through 2029.
Government Response to Protests
In a televised address, the Moroccan Prime Minister expressed readiness for dialogue but faced calls for his resignation amid violent protests. The group “Gen Z 212” condemned the killings as human rights violations and called for peaceful protests.
Authorities reported the use of force in response to aggressive attempts by protesters to storm police buildings, resulting in fatalities. The government and protest leaders continue to grapple with rising tensions.
