RABAT, Morocco (BN24) — Morocco became the first African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday, September 5, after a dominant 5-0 victory over 10-man Niger in Rabat. The win secured Morocco the top spot in Group E and ensured their place in next year’s tournament.
Ismael Saibari was the standout performer for Morocco, scoring twice in the first half after Niger’s Abdul-Latif Goumey was sent off. In the second half, Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi each added goals to complete the emphatic victory.
The win was Morocco’s sixth consecutive victory in the qualifiers, moving them to 18 points, eight clear of Tanzania. With two matches still to play, Morocco has sealed their seventh World Cup appearance.
The Atlas Lions are looking to build on their historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals, defeating Spain and Portugal before falling to France. Only Ounahi, one of the scorers in Friday’s match, participated in Qatar, as coach Walid Regragui has refreshed the squad with new talents, including PSV Eindhoven’s Saibari.
Elsewhere in Africa’s World Cup qualifying matches, Egypt defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in Cairo. Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush scored late first-half penalties to secure the win. Egypt can join Morocco in the 2026 World Cup with a victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday.
In Group B, Yoane Wissa, the new signing for Newcastle United, helped the Democratic Republic of Congo to a 4-1 victory over South Sudan in Juba. Cedric Bakambu scored twice as DR Congo maintained their position at the top of the group. Senegal stayed one point behind after a 2-0 win over Sudan in Diamniadio, with goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr.
South Africa continued their strong showing in Group C, extending their lead to five points with a 3-0 win over Lesotho in Bloemfontein. However, injuries to defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Moloisane have raised concerns ahead of their crucial clash with Nigeria on Tuesday.
Benin secured a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe with a goal from Steve Mounie, while Gambia stunned Kenya 3-1 in Nairobi, with Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh scoring. Guinea won 3-0 against Somalia, with Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy netting his first World Cup qualifying goal. However, Guinea’s qualification hopes are nearly over as they sit eight points behind Group G leaders Algeria.
In the final match of the day, reigning African champions Ivory Coast will face Gabon on Tuesday, September 9, in a key Group F encounter that could decide the group’s winner.
