FIFA team to begin World Cup inspection in Morocco

FIFA inspectors arrived in Morocco on Monday ahead of a three-day assessment of the north African country's ability to host the 2026 World Cup, the local bid committee said.

The five-member FIFA Task Force will begin its inspection on Tuesday, visiting stadiums, training facilities, fan sites and media centres.

"Morocco is offering FIFA and the global football family an innovative and compact concept to ensure operational efficiency, outstanding profitability and a lasting legacy in Morocco and Africa," said the bid committee's president, Moulay Hafid Elalamy in a statement.

"The World Cup in Morocco would not only be a source of pride but also a great catalyst for development."

The only other bid is a joint one from the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Ahead of the FIFA team's arrival, Morocco came under fire from animal rights groups for killing stray dogs in preparation for the inspection.

Swiss charity Tierbotschafter shared the shocking footage of officials shooting stray dogs that had been rounded up.

One video that was taken last week in the coastal city of Agadir shows a dog falling to the ground after being shot.