Morocco become first African team to qualify for 2026 World Cup
Story by Jessica Mbamah
Morocco became the first African country to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating Niger 5-0 in Rabat on Friday.
Niger were reduced to 10 men in the first half, and Morocco took full advantage. Ismael Saibari scored twice before half-time, while Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi added three more goals in the second half.
This was Morocco’s sixth win in a row, giving them 18 points and an unbeatable lead at the top of Group E. They are now set for their seventh World Cup appearance, with two qualifying matches still to play.
READ ALSO: Morocco poised to become first African Nation to qualify for 2026 World Cup
Morocco impressed the world at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they made it to the semi-finals — the first African team ever to do so. They beat top teams like Spain and Portugal before losing 2-0 to France.
Only Ounahi from Friday’s scorers played in the 2022 squad. Coach Walid Regragui has brought in new talent since then, including Saibari from Dutch club PSV.
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