Activists from Lady Freethinker, In Defense of Animals, Animal Save Movement, SPCA International, Stray Dog Support and the IAWPC — a coalition representing over 80 organizations worldwide — gathered at the Vancouver Convention Centre during the 76th FIFA Congress on April 30 to protest the mass killing of dogs in Morocco ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
The congress brings together the FIFA Council and representatives from all 211 member associations to shape the future of the global game. But as the world’s soccer elite gather in Canada, they do so against a backdrop of growing international outrage that the 2030 World Cup is being stained by extreme cruelty in co-host nation Morocco.
At the center of the controversy is the mass shooting, poisoning, catching and inhumane killing of an estimated 3 million street and owned dogs in Morocco. Since Morocco’s ratification as a co-host alongside Portugal and Spain in December 2024, the slaughter of dogs to “cleanse the streets” has increased dramatically and continues to this day. Estimates now indicate that up to 500,000 dogs are being killed annually.
“The systemic killing of dogs just to maintain appearances for a public event is unconscionable,” said Lady Freethinker Founder and President Nina Jackel. “FIFA has an opportunity to help ensure the safety of dogs in Morocco, and I urge them to step up and do the right thing.”
Lady Freethinker/Paige Taylor White
This bloody killing program puts Morocco in direct breach of all recognized humane treatment standards. Because this state-sanctioned violence is routinely witnessed by children, Morocco is violating the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 19) and supporting General Comment 26, which explicitly states: “Children must be protected from all forms of physical and psychological violence and from exposure to violence, such as domestic violence or violence inflicted on animals.”
Global frustration intensified recently following the emergence of shocking verified footage captured in Marrakesh in late March 2026, during ‘clean up’ operations ahead of a FIFA inspection visit. The distressing video shows municipal workers using clamp-like devices to pin terrified dogs to the ground before dragging and throwing them into trucks as the dogs howl in agony.
Lady Freethinker/Paige Taylor White
These images lay bare the brutal reality behind Morocco’s World Cup preparations. Despite having knowledge of this escalating cruelty for over 18 months, FIFA has failed to intervene or demand humane protocols from its co-host. By remaining silent, advocates argue, FIFA is complicit in the killings.
During FIFA’s own bid evaluation process for the 2030 tournament, Morocco formally committed that “since August 2024, the culling of animals had been prohibited in the country.” The grim reality on the ground amounts to a breach of contract between FIFA and Morocco, placing soccer’s governing body under immense pressure as it meets in Vancouver.
While Moroccan authorities insist that stray dogs are collected, sterilized, and vaccinated before being released, the IAWPC dismisses these claims as a sham designed to deflect mounting criticism. The coalition points to graphic footage from inside municipal facilities, which function as “killing stations,” as evidence that no meaningful return program exists.
The IAWPC, which represents more than 80 leading nonprofits and campaign groups, has repeatedly urged Moroccan authorities to end the mass killing of free-roaming dogs and adopt humane, internationally respected, and science-led management methods, such as Catch, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (CNVR).
Lady Freethinker/Paige Taylor White
Les Ward, Chairman of the IAWPC, noted that while Morocco is under sustained pressure, patience among campaigners has run out: “It is clear that the awarding of the 2030 FIFA World Cup to Morocco, despite the warnings we gave, was a political decision from the very top of FIFA. We warned FIFA, as far back as 2023, that awarding the World Cup to Morocco without strict conditions would lead to a nightmare scenario, and that is exactly what has happened.”
“What we are now seeing is increased killing, child, adult and animal trauma, intimidation and threats. The reality on the ground in Morocco is a living nightmare for dogs, but also for its people, including children, who are forced to bear witness to this every single day.”
The IAWPC says it has repeatedly called on FIFA to intervene and has been in conversation with the organization on a regular basis, urging the governing body to issue a public condemnation and to ensure Morocco implements humane population control measures in line with international standards.
Ward added, “Since the IAWPC formally began its campaign in October 2024 and to this day, we have always made it clear, this campaign is not about stopping Morocco being a co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, it’s all about stopping the mass killing of the dogs and the trauma of its people.”
Lady Freethinker/Paige Taylor White
Fleur Dawes, Director of Communications and International Partnerships for In Defense of Animals, added, “The blood of beloved neighborhood dogs is running down the streets of Morocco, traumatizing all who see it, including children. FIFA cannot continue to promote sustainability and responsibility on the global stage while ignoring the suffering linked to its own flagship tournament. The evidence is clear, the warnings were given, and the violent consequences are now playing out in full view. Immediate, decisive action is needed to prevent further cruelty and to ensure that effective and humane sterilization replaces Morocco’s dog massacre.”
The slaughter must stop. If you haven’t already, please sign and share our petition to demand an end to the killing of Morocco’s stray dogs.
SIGN: Help Stop the Horrifying Extermination of Stray Dogs in Morocco
