DISTURBING: 3 MILLION dogs to be executed prior to World Cup
Animal rights groups have raised concerns over reports of widespread stray dog killings in Morocco as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, a decision confirmed in 2023.
An estimated three million stray dogs roam Morocco's streets, and organizations claim that the alleged culls are intended to make cities and tourist areas appear cleaner and safer for international visitors. Morocco has a history of large-scale animal control measures before major events, though it launched a Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release program in 2019 and has invested in veterinary clinics and municipal hygiene systems. FIFA's evaluation of Morocco's bid highlighted the country's commitment to animal welfare.
Reports detail various methods used in the alleged killings, including poisoning with strychnine via injections or bait, shooting by patrolling gunmen, clamping dogs by the neck and loading them into trucks, and disposing of bodies in mass graves.
In Marrakech, a potential World Cup match host city, witnesses described facilities equipped with meat hooks and washable floors where dogs are processed, while in other areas, animals are reportedly starved before being burned at rubbish depots.
The International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition submitted a 91-page dossier to FIFA, including photographs of poisonings, starvations, and shootings. Documents obtained by media outlets show local authorities ordered 1,000 rounds of ammunition in September 2025 for stray dog control. The coalition reports that killings have increased since the 2023 World Cup announcement, despite Moroccan authorities' August 2024 claim that such initiatives had stopped.
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The International Animal Coalition launched a campaign highlighting these practices, with IAWPC stating that extermination has risen dramatically and expressing fears of a mass slaughter of three million dogs. PETA's Catie Cryar noted that Morocco has not hidden the use of poisoning, shooting, and burning, leading to protests at FIFA events and appeals from supporters urging FIFA to withdraw hosting rights unless the killings cease and a spay/neuter program is funded. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, in its September 2023 General Comment 26, emphasized protecting children from exposure to violence against animals.
Morocco's Embassy in London denied any cull, affirming a commitment to humane animal management. A FIFA spokesperson confirmed follow-up on welfare commitments, including measures implemented over the past five years, a draft new law for balanced public health and animal welfare, and collaboration with IAWPC, which convened experts to review and recommend on the regulations.