According to reports, Morocco is thinking of killing three million stray dogs before hosting the World Cup in 2030. This news has outraged numerous animal rights organizations and activists.
Moroccan authorities face accusations of euthanizing street canines on a large scale to prepare for the event and enhance its appeal to tourists.
The FIFA World Cup attracts billions of fans worldwide every four years, and it is a global phenomenon.
Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will share hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. All three of these nations will host the matches. Since the 2030 FIFA World Cup is the tournament’s 100th anniversary, it has particular significance.
Morocco’s pre-world cup campaign focuses on stray dogs
According to the International Animal Coalition, the culling is “Morocco’s ugly secret.”
On their official website, the organization claims, “300,000 street dogs are killed every year in Morocco. They are brutally killed by individuals working on behalf of the government. However, ever since FIFA made its announcement that Morocco would co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal, the inhumane and barbaric killing has increased.”
There are also tales of dogs being captured and taken to slaughterhouses or shot on the streets. Local officials are allegedly using shovels to kill survivors of the shootings in certain cases.
When a dog survives the street violence, they are frequently seized and taken to overcrowded municipal shelters. Due to inadequate infrastructure and funding, these facilities have become the scene of more abuse.
According to reports, the animals in these shelters suffer from severe conditions like poisoning, electrocution, and overcrowding.
The treatment of dogs in these shelters is among the most upsetting parts of the scenario. According to witnesses, the animals are crammed into small cages, doused with water, and then abandoned to suffer.
FIFA’s position regarding Morocco’s decision
FIFA has not yet released an official statement on Morocco’s alleged plot to euthanize up to three million stray dogs in advance of the 2030 World Cup as of January 17, 2025.
But according to insiders, the Moroccan monarchy is trying to impress FIFA by removing stray dogs from the streets in time for the World Cup.
FIFA officials have affirmed that they are “closely investigating” the Moroccan situation and are visiting the locations to assess the potential venues for the games.
Despite this, the local government has already launched a campaign against street dogs, which has led to frightening stories of shootings, poisonings, and other violent incidents involving the animals.
Animal Rights Activists and organizations say on Morocco’s plan
In a letter to FIFA, the well-known primatologist, Jane Goodall, strongly opposed Morocco’s conduct and called the shooting and poisoning ways of death “inhumane.” FIFA should put pressure on Morocco to scrap the initiative, she said.
The International Animal Coalition (IAC) has urged FIFA to insist that Morocco halt the killings and suggested reevaluating the country’s World Cup hosting rights if the killings continue.
Humane Society International and PETA have openly denounced the idea as a “genocide against stray dogs” and urged Morocco to use humane measures including adoption campaigns and sterilization.
Public Reaction
On social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, there has been a great deal of criticism. Hashtags like #StopDogGenocide and #BoycottMorocco2030 have become popular.
Activists have started petitions to increase awareness and exert pressure on FIFA and Moroccan authorities to adopt more moral substitutes. People around the world have collected thousands of signatures.
Organizers have set an urgent fundraising target of $15,000 (£12,000) to support 1,000 dogs for a month.
Discussions concerning the duties of host countries in anticipating world events and striking a balance between cultural, practical, and moral factors have centered on this subject. There is growing pressure on FIFA to officially address the issue.
