Morocco Crush Niger 5-0 to Become First African Team to Seal 2026 World Cup Spot

 

Morocco underlined their dominance in African football with a resounding 5-0 victory over Niger in Rabat on Friday, a result that secured their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with two games to spare.

The Atlas Lions capitalized early after Niger were reduced to 10 men when Abdul-Latif Goumey received a red card in the first half. From then on, it was a one-sided contest.

Ismael Saibari struck twice before halftime to set Morocco firmly in control. The second half saw further goals from Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi, sealing an emphatic win that confirmed Morocco as winners of Group E.

The victory was Morocco’s sixth consecutive triumph in the qualifiers, putting them eight points clear of second-placed Tanzania. It also booked their seventh World Cup appearance, making them the first African nation to qualify for the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Building on Qatar 2022 Heroics

Morocco’s qualification continues their impressive trajectory following their historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they shocked the football world by reaching the semi-finals the first African nation ever to do so.

That campaign saw them top a group featuring Croatia and Belgium, before eliminating Spain and Portugal in the knockout stages. They eventually bowed out to France in the semi-finals but earned global acclaim.

Of Friday’s scorers, only Ounahi featured in Qatar. Head coach Walid Regragui has since refreshed the squad, with new talents like PSV Eindhoven midfielder Saibari emerging as central figures.

Other African Qualifier Highlights

Elsewhere on the continent, heavyweights recorded key results as the qualifying race intensifies:

• Egypt 2-0 Ethiopia (Cairo): Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both converted first-half penalties. Victory means Egypt can join Morocco at the World Cup if they beat second-placed Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

• DR Congo 4-1 South Sudan: Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa scored as DR Congo maintained top spot in Group B.

• Senegal 2-0 Sudan: The reigning African champions stayed close behind DR Congo.

• South Africa 3-0 Lesotho: Bafana Bafana claimed a comfortable win in Group C but suffered defensive injury concerns ahead of their looming clash with Nigeria.

• Gambia 3-1 Kenya: A shock result that dented Kenya’s qualification hopes.

• Guinea 3-0 Somalia: Guinea kept their campaign alive with a convincing performance.

• Ivory Coast: Continued their strong form to remain leaders of Group F.

With Morocco already safely through, attention now shifts to Egypt, Senegal, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and other African powerhouses, as they battle to join the Atlas Lions on the road to North America 2026.