Morocco’s New Animal Welfare Law vs. FIFA-Driven Practices: A Call for Humane Alignment
As Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, a disturbing contradiction has emerged. A newly proposed law promises fines and jail time for harming stray animals, yet videos and eyewitness accounts from August 2025 show sterilized, tagged dogs being poisoned and shot in the streets. This raises a difficult question: how can Morocco’s commitment to animal welfare be reconciled with the continued reports of cruelty on the ground?
Animal Welfare Groups Condemn Morocco's Stray Dog Cull Ahead of 2030 FIFA World Cup
Reports indicate that Moroccan authorities are employing harsh methods, including poisoning with strychnine, public shootings, and, in some cases, beating animals to death. Morocco, set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, has announced a controversial plan to cull up to three million stray dogs in an effort to boost its appeal as a tourist destination. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from animal welfare organisations and activists worldwide. The International Animal Coalition is calling on FIFA to demand Morocco stop killing dogs for the World Cup. You can sign the petition here.