The upcoming 2030 Men's Football World Cup in Morocco has sparked significant controversy, particularly regarding allegations of mass culling of street dogs. Animal rights activists have accused Morocco, one of the co-hosts of the tournament, of systematically targeting and killing dogs in urban areas such as Rabat, Fes, Casablanca, and Agadir. These allegations are supported by disturbing photos, videos, and testimonies, although, according to reports from dpa, the veracity of these claims remains unverified. The International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition (IAWPC) has noted a concerning increase in the capture and killing of dogs since Morocco was awarded the World Cup hosting rights in December 2024. PETA has described the situation as a 'mass slaughter' of these animals. However, Morocco's Ministry of the Interior has firmly rejected these accusations, stating that a program initiated in 2019 aims to manage the dog population through sterilization and vaccination efforts.
Coaching Changes in National Football Teams
In addition to the controversy surrounding animal welfare, discussions are currently underway regarding potential coaching changes within national football teams. The Italian Football Federation has confirmed talks with Pep Guardiola, the former Manchester City coach who recently concluded his tenure at the club. Guardiola is being considered to replace Gennaro Gattuso, who was unable to secure World Cup qualification for Italy. Meanwhile, Belgium's football association is reportedly close to an agreement with Mark van Bommel, as per the newspaper Nieuwsblad. Van Bommel, who previously managed VfL Wolfsburg, is expected to take over from Rudi Garcia, who led Belgium to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Furthermore, Sven Bender, a former national player and recent head coach of regional team SpVgg Unterhaching, is being discussed as an assistant to the newly appointed German national coach Jürgen Klopp.
As reported by taz.de.
