Outrage as three MILLION dogs to be ‘massacred’ by firing squad ahead of the World Cup

Shocking images and reports of dogs being killed in Morocco have become the subject of global scrutiny in a campaign linked to the country’s preparations for the 2030 World Cup.

It has been confirmed that the North African country will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal in 2023; This decision coincided with a widespread culling of strays in Moroccan cities, animal rights groups claim.

Activists said the alleged effort was aimed at making cities and tourist spots appear cleaner and safer, as well as more attractive to international visitors, fans and media, to avoid negative perceptions of wandering people.

An estimated three million stray dogs live on the streets of Morocco.

Animal welfare organizations published images and testimonies alleging that Moroccan authorities used harsh methods such as handcuffing dogs around their necks, loading them onto trucks, poisoning them, or shooting them before dumping their bodies in mass graves.

A report published last month described Marrakech, which is expected to host World Cup matches, as a ‘killing centre’ where dogs are transported in white vans and processed in warehouse facilities equipped with meat hooks and washable floors.

Witnesses in other host cities claimed dogs were starved for days before being burned alive in garbage dumps.

The International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition (IAWPC) stated that large-scale animal killings took place in Morocco before major international events, and argued that organizations such as FIFA did not issue orders but effectively made the implementation possible.

The effort aims to make cities and tourist destinations cleaner, safer and more attractive to international visitors, fans and media to avoid negative perceptions of stray animals during major global events, officials said.

The coalition submitted a 91-page dossier to FIFA, including photographs documenting poisonings, forced starvation and the shooting of dogs. Despite the evidence, questions remain about how seriously the allegations were taken.

‘Later [World Cup confirmation]The destruction of dogs has increased dramatically, the IAWPC said in a statement.

‘As a result, it is feared that Morocco may implement a plan to mass slaughter three million dogs.’

A FIFA spokesperson told the Daily Mail that Morocco had highlighted its commitment to animal welfare during its bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, noting the government’s efforts to expand clinics and support programs for stray dogs.

“With the completion of the tender process, FIFA is monitoring local counterparts to ensure commitments are met,” a FIFA spokesman said.

‘FIFA specifically contacted the Moroccan Football Federation to alert them to the issue and we have received confirmation that a number of measures have been implemented over the last 5 years and that a new law has been drafted which seeks to address the current situation with a balanced approach that meets public health and safety and animal welfare needs.’

FIFA also said it was working with animal welfare group IAWPC, which convened a global panel of top legal and animal welfare experts to review Morocco’s draft regulations; their recommendations have now been presented to Moroccan officials.

The Moroccan Embassy in London denied the allegations, insisting that stray dogs were not culled and citing what it described as the country’s commitment to humane and sustainable animal management.

Footage from North African country shows men rounding up dogs and putting them in cages

A spokesman said Morocco introduced a Trap, Sterilize, Vaccinate, Release program in 2019 and has invested in clinics, veterinary services and municipal hygiene systems, adding: ‘It is completely untrue that Morocco plans to cull stray dogs ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.’

But documents obtained by The Athletic show that local officials ordered 1,000 rounds of ammunition in September 2025 to combat stray dogs.

FIFA cited the country’s commitment to animal welfare in its evaluation report on Morocco’s World Cup candidacy.

An estimated three million stray dogs live on the streets of Morocco

PETA spokesperson Catie Cryar told the Daily Mail: ‘Morocco did not attempt to hide the fact that dogs were poisoned, shot and burned alive to ‘clean up’ the 2030 World Cup, as this report details, so no investigation was necessary.

‘PETA organizations around the world are protesting FIFA events, and tens of thousands of PETA members and supporters have issued urgent calls for FIFA to withdraw Morocco’s right to co-host the tournament unless it stops the dog slaughter.

‘FIFA needs to stop the shooting of dogs in its name and could start by funding a spay/neuter program to help solve the homeless-animal crisis on Morocco’s streets.’

The International Animal Coalition has launched a campaign to reveal what it calls ‘Morocco’s ugly secret’, detailing the horrific methods used to kill stray dogs.

They claim that dogs were poisoned with strychnine, injected directly into their bodies, or fed bait.

Animal welfare organizations published images and testimonies alleging that Moroccan authorities used harsh methods such as handcuffing dogs around their necks, loading them onto trucks, poisoning them, or shooting them before dumping their bodies in mass graves.

Gunmen reportedly patrol the streets at all hours of the day, shooting animals and often leaving them to die in agony while injured.

Other dogs are said to have been trapped with clamping devices, thrown into trucks and transported to facilities where they were killed in an inhumane manner.

The coalition claims that killings have increased significantly since FIFA’s announcement in 2023, although Moroccan officials claimed in August 2024 that the attempt had been stopped.

The psychological health and moral development of children who witnessed the reported dog slaughter in Morocco has also become an increasing focus of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

In September 2023, the committee published its General Comment 26, supporting Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: ‘Children should be protected from all forms of physical and psychological violence and from exposure to violence such as domestic violence or violence against animals.’