Another World Cup row – Morocco’s stray dogs and the 2030 competition

Dead dogs lie by roadsides, in bushes and, in some cases, on the pavement with apparent gunshot wounds.

Carcasses are dumped in rubbish bins or riverbeds, while videos circulating online show men catching stray animals with tongs and nets before loading them into vans.

Animal rights groups say such scenes are becoming increasingly common as Morocco prepares to be one of the main co-hosts of the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.

They accuse authorities of intensifying efforts to remove stray dogs from public spaces, alleging that thousands are being killed in the process.

Individual incidents cannot be independently verified. However, numerous photographs, videos and eyewitness accounts from cities including Rabat, Fez, Agadir, Marrakesh and Casablanca suggest the issue has become increasingly contentious.

Animal welfare groups allege “mass slaughter”

The International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC) says trapping and killing campaigns have intensified since Morocco was confirmed as a World Cup host in December 2024. PETA, a member of the coalition, has described the situation as a “mass slaughter.”

Residents interviewed by dpa also described alleged abuses. One resident of Casablanca said municipal workers regularly transported captured dogs to a waste incineration facility, where they were allegedly burned. Others claimed stray dogs had been shot or buried alive at rubbish dumps.

A video circulated online recently, showing a man shooting a dog with a rifle in a busy street in Tinghir as bystanders watched and filmed the incident. The dog collapses to the ground before being dragged away by a man.

Animal welfare organizations estimate Morocco is home to around 3 million stray dogs, although no official figures exist.

Not everyone agrees the World Cup is the catalyst. Some campaigners argue that violent methods of controlling stray animals have existed in Morocco for years and have simply attracted greater international attention because of the tournament.

Government denies allegations

Morocco’s Interior Ministry rejects claims of systematic killings.

In a statement to dpa, the ministry said major international events provide an “additional incentive” to accelerate existing programmes to manage stray animals, but insisted there is “no direct link” between those efforts and preparations for the 2030 World Cup.

Officials say Morocco has operated a nationwide Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (TNVR) programme since 2019, aimed at gradually reducing stray dog populations through sterilisation and vaccination rather than culling.

According to the ministry, videos and photographs circulating online depict isolated incidents that “do not in any way reflect” the country’s official policy.

A familiar debate

The dispute reflects a broader conflict seen in many countries struggling with large stray animal populations.

Animal welfare advocates argue stray dogs deserve protection from cruelty and support sterilization programmes instead of lethal methods. Others, however, cite concerns over dog attacks, rabies and other diseases, arguing authorities have a responsibility to protect public safety.

Similar controversies have emerged before previous sporting mega-events.

Animal rights organizations accused authorities in Russia ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and in Brazil before the 2014 tournament of removing or culling stray dogs to improve the appearance of host cities.

FIFA said Morocco had committed to protecting animal welfare during its successful World Cup bid.

The governing body told dpa it is working with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to ensure those commitments are respected and described the issue as an “important matter.”

FIFA is also cooperating with the IAWPC, an alliance of around 80 animal welfare organisations.

Conflicting accounts

Officials in Ifrane, one of the cities preparing for the tournament, say stray dogs are being humanely collected, vaccinated and housed in shelters.

“We have begun clearing the streets of stray dogs as part of our preparations,” Omar Jaid, head of the local tourism council, told US broadcaster CNN, adding that the animals are taken to shelters for care and vaccination.

That account is disputed by investigations published by The Athletic, which reported that one Moroccan local authority ordered 1,000 rounds of ammunition for use against stray dogs.

The online publication also cited allegations that dogs were burned or systematically killed near Marrakesh before the Africa Cup of Nations. CNN has separately verified videos showing apparent dog culls in Marrakesh, Casablanca, Agadir and Ifrane.

Animal welfare groups also allege dogs disappear after being taken to shelters, claiming many are poisoned. Moroccan officials reject those allegations and have dismissed some reports as misinformation.

New animal welfare law

The controversy comes as Morocco introduces new animal welfare legislation, drafted with input from FIFA. The law provides prison sentences of up to six months and fines of up to about €1,800 ($2,059) for deliberately killing or abusing animals.

Animal rights campaigners, however, have criticized provisions that also impose fines on people who feed or care for stray dogs in public.

With four years remaining before the World Cup, the dispute over Morocco’s treatment of stray dogs shows little sign of fading.