They report the extermination of dogs in Morocco for the 2030 World Cup

The organization of the 2030 World Cup has once again been at the center of international controversy, this time due to allegations of a mass culling of stray dogs in Morocco, one of the host countries along with Spain and Portugal.

The renowned primatologist Jane Goodall warned that up to three million animals could be at risk in the context of the preparations for the tournament. According to international animal welfare organizations, operations to reduce the canine population on the streets have reportedly intensified in different host cities, using methods that would include shootings and poisoning with strychnine.

The allegations were driven by entities such as the International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition (IAWPC), which keeps that the extermination campaigns seek to "clean up" the cities before the massive arrival of tourists. Testimonies collected by international media even speak of previously sterilized and vaccinated dogs that reportedly were put down.

A spokesperson for the Moroccan embassy told the BBC that it is "totally false" that there is a systematic extermination plan. The government emphasizes that since 2019 it has implemented the TNVR program (trap, neuter, vaccinate, and return), with an investment of more than 24 million dollars in specialized clinics. The Hayat project in Tangier reportedly has treated thousands of animals under this scheme.

The controversy escalated when Goodall sent an open letter to FIFA in which she warned that, if the body doesn't act, it could be considered complicit. The scientist asked that compliance with ethical methods be required or, failing that, that the World Cup host status be reviewed. Other international figures, such as Mark Ruffalo, described the situation as a "moral failure" and demanded humanitarian alternatives.

The health background adds complexity to the debate. Morocco is considered a rabies-endemic country and reports dozens of human deaths annually linked to the disease, in addition to thousands of bites. Experts maintain that mass killings generate the so-called "vacuum effect": by eliminating vaccinated and sterilized dogs, new animals without immunization move in, which could worsen the problem.

FIFA reported that it is monitoring the issue and is maintaining dialogue with authorities and organizations. Meanwhile, calls for a boycott and international campaigns to stop any indiscriminate culling are growing.