Morocco sealed their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after thrashing Niger 5-0 in Rabat on Friday, making them the first African team to secure qualification.
The North African giants topped Group E after an emphatic display that saw Ismael Saibari net twice in the first half following the dismissal of Abdul-Latif Goumey. The rout was completed in the second half with goals from Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi.
This victory marked Morocco’s sixth straight win in the qualifiers, pushing them to an unassailable 18 points, eight clear of second-placed Tanzania. The result confirmed their seventh World Cup appearance with two games to spare.
Morocco’s qualification comes off the back of their remarkable run at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where they became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals. They topped a group that included Croatia and Belgium before eliminating Spain and Portugal, only to fall 2-0 to France in the last four.
Of the scorers against Niger, only Ounahi featured in that historic 2022 squad, as head coach Walid Regragui has since refreshed the team with new faces, including PSV Eindhoven midfielder Saibari.
Elsewhere, Egypt defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in Cairo thanks to first-half penalties from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. A win away to Burkina Faso on Tuesday could see the Pharaohs join Morocco at the 2026 showpiece in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In Group B, the Democratic Republic of Congo powered past South Sudan 4-1 in Juba, with Newcastle United’s £50 million signing Yoane Wissa among the scorers. Cedric Bakambu netted twice, while Keer Majak grabbed a consolation for the hosts. DR Congo, who last appeared in the World Cup in 1974 as Zaire, remain top of the group ahead of Senegal, who defeated Sudan 2-0 through goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr.
South Africa also strengthened their grip on Group C with a 3-0 win over Lesotho in Bloemfontein. Goals came from Mohau Nkota, Lyle Foster, and Oswin Appollis, though injuries to Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Moloisane could affect their upcoming clash with Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Benin edged Zimbabwe 1-0 in Abidjan, while Nigeria, nine points adrift, will face Rwanda on Saturday.
Other highlights included Gambia’s 3-1 upset over Kenya in Nairobi, Ivory Coast’s decisive clash with Gabon set for Tuesday, and Guinea’s 3-0 victory over Somalia, where Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy scored his first international goal. However, Guinea’s disappointing campaign means they are unlikely to qualify.
What you should know
Morocco has etched its name in history once again by becoming the first African team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Building on their groundbreaking semi-final run in Qatar 2022, the Atlas Lions have shown they are determined to remain a force on the global stage.
