Morocco Becomes First African Nation To Qualify For 2026 FIFA World Cup
2 min read
By Sportsgister
Mission accomplished for the Atlas Lions. Morocco officially became the first African country to book a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup after dismantling Niger 5-0 on Friday evening at the newly inaugurated Prince Moulay Abdallah Sports Complex in Rabat.
From the opening whistle, sounded by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, Walid Regragui’s men seized control of the game with high pressing, technical superiority, and relentless attacking intent. Niger’s challenge grew even tougher in the 27th minute when Abdellatif Goumay was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Morocco wasted no time capitalizing on their numerical advantage. Just two minutes later, Ismaïl Saibari broke the deadlock after a clever pass from Youssef Belaamri (29’). The PSV Eindhoven forward was unstoppable and added a second in the 38th minute, ensuring Morocco went into the break with a comfortable lead.
The second half followed the same pattern of dominance. Ayoub El Kaabi extended the lead with a clinical strike in the 51st minute. Substitute Hamza Ighamane then added a fourth with a thunderous effort in the 69th minute, before Azzedine Ounahi capped off the night’s scoring with a fine finish in the 84th minute.
The emphatic win pushed Morocco to 18 points, mathematically guaranteeing top spot in their group and sealing direct qualification to the global showpiece to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Friday’s triumph was not only about qualification but also a celebration. Under the lights of a modernized Rabat arena, the Atlas Lions thrilled their supporters with a performance that showcased why they are widely regarded as one of Africa’s strongest contenders heading into 2026. With their ticket already secured, Regragui’s men can now dream bigger as preparations begin for a historic summer in North America.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
