Morocco has made history by becoming the first African country to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They achieved this with a commanding 5-0 win over Niger in Rabat on Friday, September 5, securing the top spot in Group E.
Ismael Saibari scored twice in the first half after Niger’s Abdul-Latif Goumey was sent off. In the second half, Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi added more goals to complete a dominant performance.
The victory marked Morocco’s sixth consecutive win, lifting them to 18 points, eight ahead of Tanzania. With two games still to play, they have guaranteed their seventh appearance at the World Cup.
The Atlas Lions will hope to replicate or surpass their amazing 2022 World Cup run in Qatar, where they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals, beating Spain and Portugal before losing 2-0 to France.
Only Ounahi, among the scorers against Niger, played in Qatar. Coach Walid Regragui has refreshed the team with new talent, including PSV Eindhoven’s Ismael Saibari, giving young players a chance to shine.
Elsewhere in the qualifiers, Egypt defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in Cairo, with Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush scoring first-half penalties.
A victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday could see Egypt join Morocco in the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In Group B, Newcastle United’s new signing Yoane Wissa scored as the Democratic Republic of Congo beat South Sudan 4-1 in Juba.
Cedric Bakambu scored twice, while Senegal stayed just one point behind after a 2-0 win over Sudan, with goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr.
South Africa maintained a five-point lead in Group C with a 3-0 win over neighbours Lesotho in Bloemfontein.
Mohau Nkota, Lyle Foster, and Oswin Appollis scored, but injuries to defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Moloisane could affect their crucial game against Nigeria.
Steve Mounie scored to give Benin a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe, while Gambia shocked Kenya 3-1 in Nairobi, with Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh on the scoresheet.
Guinea beat Somalia 3-0, including a first World Cup qualifying goal from Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy, but they are still far behind Group G leaders Algeria.
Reigning African champions Ivory Coast will face Gabon on Tuesday, September 9, in a key Group F match that could decide the group winner.
