Morocco Faces International Criticism Over Alleged Mass Culling of Stray Dogs Ahead of 2030 FIFA World Cup

Rabat, Morocco – As Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, the country is facing growing international scrutiny over allegations that it is conducting mass killings of stray dogs to present a cleaner image to the world. Reports from animal rights organizations claim that authorities are inhumanely culling up to three million stray dogs using methods such as poisoning, shooting, and starvation.

The Moroccan government has denied the allegations, asserting that it has implemented humane measures to control the stray dog population through Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) programs. However, graphic footage and testimonies from activists suggest that brutal culling methods are still being carried out in many cities, despite official policies.

Allegations of Stray Dog Mass Killings

According to The Sun, Morocco is engaged in a large-scale culling campaign targeting stray dogs, particularly in cities designated as World Cup venues such as Casablanca, Marrakesh, Tangier, and Rabat. The report claims that:

• Poison-laced food is being distributed to stray dog populations, leading to slow and agonizing deaths.
• Stray dogs are being shot in the streets, sometimes in broad daylight.
• Captured dogs are left to starve in municipal shelters before being disposed of in mass graves.

Animal welfare organizations, including the International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC), have strongly condemned these practices. Dr. Jane Goodall, a world-renowned conservationist, publicly denounced the culling efforts and called on FIFA to intervene.

“I was absolutely appalled to see that Moroccan authorities are engaging in large-scale killings of street dogs to make World Cup venues more ‘presentable’ to foreign visitors,” Dr. Goodall wrote in an open letter to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, as reported by IAWPC.

Her letter, published by the Eurogroup for Animals, argues that FIFA has a responsibility to ensure that its events do not promote animal cruelty.

Moroccan Government Denies Culling Allegations

The Moroccan government has strongly refuted claims of a mass extermination campaign, asserting that it follows internationally accepted humane practices.

According to Morocco World News, Morocco has been implementing a long-term strategy to control the stray dog population humanely. The publication reports that:

• The Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) approach, introduced in 2019, involves capturing stray dogs, sterilizing them, vaccinating them against rabies, and then releasing them back into their communities.
• The government has allocated 70 million dirhams ($7.3 million) annually to support municipal efforts to control the stray animal population.
• Construction of animal shelters and veterinary clinics has been expanded, with an additional 80 million dirhams ($8.4 million) allocated to such projects.

The Moroccan Embassy in London issued a statement rejecting the allegations, calling them “unfounded and misleading”, as reported by Pets Magazine UK. A spokesperson stated:

“It is entirely untrue that Morocco is planning to cull stray dogs ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Since 2019, we have implemented humane methods that align with WHO and OIE [World Organisation for Animal Health] standards.”

Despite these assurances, activists argue that there is a gap between government policy and actual enforcement, as reported by Eurogroup for Animals.

The History of Morocco’s Stray Dog Issue

The issue of stray dog management in Morocco is not new. For decades, municipalities relied on culling methods as the primary way to control growing stray dog populations.

According to Morocco World News, Morocco has historically used localized culling to control stray dogs, but this approach has proven ineffective.

• In 2022, the governor of Nador was convicted of ordering stray dogs to be killed after activists filed a lawsuit, as reported by Moroccan civil rights groups.
• In 2023, a dog shelter near Rabat was accused of starving animals to death, triggering national outrage, as covered by local media.

According to WHO and the World Animal Protection, mass culling is ineffective in the long term. When stray dogs are killed, their ecological niche is left vacant, leading to rapid population recovery through increased breeding—a phenomenon known as the “vacuum effect.”

FIFA Faces Pressure to Intervene

The allegations of mass culling have put FIFA under pressure to take a stand against animal cruelty. The governing body has previously enforced environmental and ethical guidelines for host nations, particularly regarding human rights and sustainability policies.

Animal rights groups are calling on FIFA to:

1. Investigate the allegations and demand transparency from Moroccan authorities, as demanded by IAWPC.
2. Enforce ethical animal welfare standards as part of Morocco’s World Cup hosting obligations, according to Eurogroup for Animals.
3. Encourage humane methods like TNR instead of large-scale culling, as recommended by WHO animal welfare experts.

However, FIFA has not yet issued an official statement on the matter, as reported by The Times (UK).

What Happens Next?

With global attention on Morocco ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, the stray dog controversy is likely to intensify pressure on both FIFA and Moroccan authorities to ensure humane treatment of animals.

Possible Scenarios:

• FIFA could formally investigate the claims, forcing Morocco to commit to stricter ethical guidelines for animal welfare.
• The Moroccan government may be compelled to enforce TNR programs more rigorously to counter negative media attention.
• If the allegations persist, animal rights groups could call for protests, petitions, or even travel boycotts targeting the World Cup, as reported by The Sun.

For now, the international community remains divided—with some believing Morocco’s official stance on humane population control, while others continue to document brutal culling methods across the country.

Conclusion

The debate over Morocco’s stray dog population has exposed tensions between the country’s efforts to modernize its image and longstanding animal welfare concerns. As the 2030 FIFA World Cup approaches, Morocco faces mounting pressure to prove that its policies align with international ethical standards.

While the government insists that it is adopting humane solutions, footage from activists tells a different story. Whether FIFA will take action remains to be seen, but the controversy is unlikely to fade anytime soon.

Sources:

• The Sun: “How 3 MILLION dogs are being slaughtered ahead of World Cup”
• Eurogroup for Animals: “FIFA urged to take a stand against culling dogs”
• Morocco World News: “Morocco Strengthens Efforts to Address Stray Dog Population”
• IAWPC: “Jane Goodall condemns killing of street dogs”