Morocco has sealed their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after cruising to a 5-0 victory over 10-man Niger in Rabat on Friday, becoming the first African country to book a ticket to the global tournament.
The Atlas Lions dominated from start to finish, with Ismael Saibari netting twice in the first half following the dismissal of Niger’s Abdul-Latif Goumey. Second-half strikes from Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi completed the rout.
The win, Morocco’s sixth consecutive victory in Group E, puts them on 18 points, eight clear of Tanzania, and guarantees qualification with two matches to spare. It will be Morocco’s seventh World Cup appearance.
Walid Regragui’s men stunned the world at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, reaching the semi-finals after topping a group that featured Croatia and Belgium, and knocking out Spain and Portugal before losing 2-0 to eventual finalists France.
Of Friday’s scorers, only Ounahi was part of that historic 2022 squad, as Regragui has since blended in fresh talents such as Saibari of Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.
Elsewhere in African qualifiers:
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In Group A, Egypt defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in Cairo, with Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush converting late first-half penalties. Victory over second-placed Burkina Faso on Tuesday could see the Pharaohs join Morocco at the finals.
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In Group B, Yoane Wissa, Newcastle United’s £50 million summer signing from Brentford, scored as the Democratic Republic of Congo thrashed South Sudan 4-1 in Juba. The Congolese are chasing a first World Cup appearance since 1974, when they competed as Zaire.
