Why stray dogs are being killed in Morocco before the 2030 FIFA World Cup

Morocco is facing scrutiny over reports that thousands of stray dogs are being killed as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Animal welfare organisations say the culling is linked to efforts to present cleaner streets before international visitors arrive. Morocco will host the tournament alongside Spain and Portugal, with Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina staging opening matches. Local officials describe the measures as public health management, while campaigners document shootings and poisonings in several cities. CNN has reported verified footage of dog culling in urban areas, including Marrakech and Ifrane. The issue sits between tourism planning, rabies control policy and a legal grey area around how municipalities manage stray animals.According to CNN, Omar Jaïd, President of the Provincial Tourism Council of Ifrane, said the city had begun cleaning streets of stray dogs as part of preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Ifrane is about 64 kilometres from Fez Stadium, a proposed venue expected to host teams and visitors.Jaïd said animals are rounded up and relocated to dispensaries for vaccination. He described himself as a dog lover.The Athletic has seen proof that the local authority of a Moroccan city bought 1,000 rounds of ammunition in September 2025 to deal with its large number of stray dogs. We have also heard from people who worked on cleanups in the same city and said they were afraid of getting hit by a running bullet. They also talked about how upset they were to be so close to these events. Parents are mostly worried about the mental damage that kids will experience if they see these things and think that they make violence seem normal.Mohammed Roudani of Morocco’s Ministry of Interior told CNN that stray dogs pose a serious public health risk, particularly as carriers of rabies. He said around 100,000 people are bitten each year, with children under 15 accounting for roughly 40 percent.In 2019, Morocco introduced a Trap Neuter Vaccinate Release programme aimed at controlling the stray population more humanely. Roudani said the national government supports this approach. However, municipalities are responsible for implementation. He described a legal vacuum, noting there is no specific law banning the killing of stray dogs.Animal groups say some cities still use poisoning, including strychnine, which is banned in many countries because of the suffering it causes.FIFA has known about concerns since at least 2023, when the European Link Coalition met senior officials to present evidence of increased culling linked to the World Cup. In April 2024, FIFA Human Rights Advisor Marta Piazza said the organisation valued the input and was engaging with Morocco to ensure alignment with bidding requirements.The coalition says it has not received further updates. FIFA told CNN it remains in contact with animal welfare organisations.Morocco’s government says it is taking steps to regulate practices. On the ground, reports continue to surface. The situation remains unsettled.