“Host of the World Cup accused of exterminating millions of stray dogs before the tournament.”

Morocco is facing intense controversy after being accused of preparing a macabre plan to eliminate millions of stray dogs in an attempt to “clean up” the streets ahead of the 2030 World Cup. With over three million stray dogs at risk, animal rights groups have compiled photographs and documents indicating the execution of some of these animals, raising global concerns.

The acclaimed actor and activist Mark Ruffalo, an Oscar nominee, did not hesitate to express his outrage. “Killing millions of dogs to prepare for a global sporting event is not progress, it is a moral failure,” he wrote in a post on the platform X. Ruffalo emphasized that “humane solutions exist, and choosing compassion over violence is a responsibility we all must share.”

In response to these alarming allegations, the Moroccan embassy in London denied the accusations, assuring that there is no plan to cull stray dogs and reaffirming the country’s commitment to humane and sustainable animal management. However, the International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition (IAWPC) reveals a grim reality: around 300,000 animals are killed each year through cruel methods, including shooting and poisoning, long before the announcement that Morocco would co-host the tournament alongside Spain and Portugal.

The IAWPC has warned that following the confirmation of the World Cup, the extermination of dogs has dramatically increased. “As a result, we fear that Morocco will proceed with its plan for the mass culling of three million dogs,” the organization stated in a report. This situation is even more troubling in light of a proposed law introduced in August, which calls for prison sentences of two to six months for anyone who “intentionally kills, tortures, or injures a stray animal in any way.” However, those caught “sheltering, feeding, or treating” animals also face fines or prison sentences in the event of repeat offenses.

The growing pressure from the international community and animal rights organizations has led many to wonder: how far will Morocco go to appease FIFA and the commercial interests surrounding such a grand event? The tension between animal protection and the demands of a global football tournament has never been more evident, and civil society is demanding answers. The world is watching closely and with anticipation as this issue unfolds in the months leading up to one of the most significant sporting events on the planet.