Morocco Become First African Nation to Qualify for 2026 World Cup with Emphatic Win Over Niger

Morocco Become First African Nation to Qualify for 2026 World Cup with Emphatic Win Over Niger

By Admin 

 Morocco became the first African team to book their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday after dismantling 10-man Niger 5–0 in Rabat, BSNSports.com.ng reports. 

The dominant victory secured top spot in Group E and sealed qualification with two matches to spare.

Ismael Saibari struck twice in the first half after Niger’s Abdul-Latif Goumey was sent off early in the match, swinging momentum firmly in Morocco's favor. Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi added second-half goals to complete the rout.

The result gives Morocco an unassailable 18 points from six games — eight points clear of nearest challengers Tanzania — and confirms a seventh World Cup appearance for the North African nation.

Having stunned the world at the 2022 Qatar World Cup by reaching the semi-finals, Morocco’s qualification under head coach Walid Regragui marks another milestone in their growing football stature. Notably, only Ounahi among the goalscorers was part of that 2022 squad, with Regragui integrating fresh talent such as PSV Eindhoven’s Saibari.

Elsewhere in African Qualifying: Egypt, DR Congo, South Africa Keep World Cup Hopes Alive

In Cairo, Egypt kept pace with a 2–0 win over Ethiopia in Group A, with Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both converting first-half penalties. Egypt will qualify if they defeat second-placed Burkina Faso away on Tuesday.

DR Congo remained top of Group B following a 4–1 victory over South Sudan in Juba. Yoane Wissa, recently signed by Newcastle United in a high-profile £50 million transfer from Brentford, was among the scorers. The Congolese are eyeing their first World Cup appearance since 1974, when they competed as Zaire.

Senegal, who trail DR Congo by a point, set up a crucial top-of-the-table clash in Kinshasa after beating Sudan 2–0 in Diamniadio, with goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr.

South Africa Continue to Impress in Group C

South Africa maintained their five-point lead at the top of Group C with a comfortable 3–0 victory over Lesotho in Bloemfontein. Though a Lesotho "home" fixture, the game was played in South Africa due to stadium approval issues in the mountain kingdom.

Mohau Nkota, recently transferred to Saudi club Al Ettifaq from Orlando Pirates, scored his first international goal early in the match. Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis added second-half goals to seal the win.

However, injuries to defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Moloisane cast a shadow over the victory, with a vital clash against Nigeria looming on Tuesday. Nigeria, trailing by nine points, host Rwanda on Saturday.

Other Results Across the Continent

In Nairobi, Gambia pulled off a surprise 3–1 win over Kenya, helped by a goal from Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh. However, the result is unlikely to affect the top of Group F, where Ivory Coast travel to Gabon for a decisive showdown on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Guinea defeated Somalia 3–0, with Borussia Dortmund’s prolific forward Serhou Guirassy scoring his first World Cup qualifying goal. Despite the victory, Guinea remain in fourth place in Group G, eight points behind leaders Algeria, and are all but out of contention.