Three million stray dogs in Morocco face brutal extermination in preparation for the country’s role as a host nation for the 2030 World Cup, sparking outrage among human rights and animal welfare campaigners.
FIFA is set to finalise the joint bid from Spain, Portugal, and Morocco on 11 December. However, concerns are mounting over Morocco’s use of inhumane methods to cull stray dogs, as well as its broader record on human and civil rights.
The International Animal Welfare Coalition is urging FIFA to mandate humane animal population control measures as part of Morocco’s bid requirements. Meanwhile, Amnesty International has raised alarms about human rights violations in all three host countries, citing police brutality, misuse of rubber bullets, and ongoing restrictions on free expression and assembly. Racist, sexist, and homophobic abuse within football also remains a significant issue.
Morocco’s legal framework further intensifies criticism, as extramarital and same-sex relations remain criminalised in the country.
ANIMAL RIGHTS CAMPAIGNERS DEMAND ACTION
Marc Abrahams, OBE (pictured above), a vet and prominent animal campaigner supporting the International Animal Welfare Coalition, described the situation as barbaric.
“This is not humane euthanasia,” he said. “Dogs are being tortured, beaten, and subjected to horrific killing methods, including being injected with strychnine. No vet would ever support such cruel population control measures.”
Abrahams emphasised the need for FIFA to intervene. “FIFA must take responsibility for the role football is playing in enabling this. Much of this killing occurs publicly, in full view of children. What kind of world condones such brutality in the name of sport?”
He concluded with a call to action: “FIFA, it is in your gift to stop this torture. Protect both the animals and the human population—act now.”
WIDER IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND SAFETY
The joint bid proposes hosting games across 20 stadiums in 17 cities, with Morocco planning a new 115,000-seater stadium outside Casablanca and significant transport infrastructure upgrades. However, the government’s preparations include rounding up and publicly killing stray dogs—a practice that coalition members argue jeopardises public safety, particularly for children.
Debbie Wilson, a Human and Health Sciences academic working with the International Animal Welfare Coalition, highlighted the legal and ethical implications.
“FIFA must incorporate humane dog population management and ensure the protection of children under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in the Morocco, Spain, and Portugal bid book,” she explained.
“Making this legally binding means Morocco could technically be removed as a co-host if they breach these stipulations before 2030. This is about protecting animals and the public, particularly children, from witnessing these gruesome spectacles in their communities.”
With the bid decision looming, campaigners are pressing FIFA to act swiftly to prevent further harm and to ensure the 2030 World Cup upholds basic standards of humanity and decency.