Claims have been made of a “savage” stray dog massacre to clear streets for the 2030 World Cup, sparking anger and urgent calls for a FIFA investigation
Streets in Morocco have been turned into a battleground as authorities are accused of a “savage” massacre of stray dogs ahead of the 2030 World Cup. Horrifying reports from the city of Nador describe a scene of carnage, with spent shell casings littering the ground and armed teams loading carcasses into trucks.
With an estimated three million strays roaming the nation, activists fear a clean-up is underway to spruce up the country for football fans. The International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC) has sounded the alarm, releasing grim images of the alleged violence.
A spokesperson for the IAWPC revealed that local officials reportedly stormed a residential area at dawn to open fire on the animals.
One terrified resident, who watched the horror from her window, described the events of this week as a “display of pure savagery.”
The witness said: “I am writing with a heavy heart and still in shock. This was not a culling operation, but a display of pure savagery. Dogs were shot in cold blood beneath our windows, leaving behind scenes of unbearable violence and streets stained with blood.”
The Daily Mail reports that the witness claimed she saw a mother dog gunned down while her helpless puppies cowered in fear nearby.
She added: “How is it possible, in 2026, to act with such cruelty and total disregard for animal life and suffering? These acts are barbaric relics of a bygone era that cannot be ignored.”
The allegations have put FIFA in the hot seat as the football governing body previously claimed that Morocco had pledged a “commitment to animal welfare” during its successful bid for the 2030 tournament, highlighting plans for new clinics and support programmes
A FIFA spokesperson said: “With the bidding process now completed, FIFA is following up with its local counterparts with the aim of ensuring commitments are upheld.”
However, campaigners argue the promises are “hollow.” Les Ward, chairman of the IAWPC, slammed the local authorities’ actions.
He said: “This is not population control, it is an outright massacre. What we are seeing in Nador is utterly indefensible and flies in the face of everything Morocco has promised and constantly claims; their words are hollow and make-believe.”
Morocco’s Embassy in London has hit back, flatly denying that any cull is taking place. Officials insist the country is committed to “humane and sustainable” management.
A spokesperson previously insisted: “It is entirely untrue that Morocco is planning to cull stray dogs ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.”
Despite the denials, the IAWPC, which represents over 80 global organizations, claims a “brutal crackdown” is intensifying. The campaign has even caught the eye of Hollywood A-listers.
Avengers star Mark Ruffalo took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the alleged killings. He wrote: “Killing millions of dogs to prepare for a global sporting event is not progress, it’s a moral failure. The World Cup should unite the world, not be built on suffering that happens behind closed doors.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .