Morocco Becomes First African Team to Qualify for 2026 World Cup

Morocco have booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, thrashing Niger 5-0 in Rabat on Friday to seal top spot in Group E with two games to spare.

The North Africans, who stunned the world by reaching the semi-finals in Qatar 2022, became the first African nation to qualify for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The match turned quickly after Niger’s Abdul-Latif Goumey was sent off in the first half. Ismael Saibari struck twice before the break, and further goals from Ayoub el Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi completed the rout.

Morocco’s six straight victories put them on 18 points, an unassailable eight clear of Tanzania, guaranteeing a seventh World Cup appearance. Only Ounahi among Friday’s scorers was part of the 2022 squad, with coach Walid Regragui introducing fresh talent such as PSV Eindhoven’s Saibari.

At the last World Cup, Morocco topped a group featuring Croatia and Belgium before eliminating Spain and Portugal, only to bow out to France in the semi-finals.

Elsewhere in African qualifying, Egypt kept their campaign on track with a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia in Cairo. Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush converted penalties late in the first half. Egypt will secure qualification if they beat second-placed Burkina Faso away on Tuesday.

In Group B, the Democratic Republic of Congo thumped South Sudan 4-1 in Juba, with new Newcastle United signing Yoane Wissa among the scorers. Wissa recently joined from Brentford in a £50 million move, following Alexander Isak’s British record transfer to Liverpool. The Congolese, who last appeared at the World Cup in 1974 when they were known as Zaire, remain in contention to return to the global stage.

Cedric Bakambu netted twice as DR Congo stormed into a three-goal half-time lead, with Wissa adding a fourth before Keer Majak scored a consolation. DR Congo now lead Senegal by a single point, setting up a top-of-the-table clash in Kinshasa on Tuesday. Senegal beat Sudan 2-0, thanks to goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr.

In Group C, South Africa continued their strong run with a 3-0 win over Lesotho in Bloemfontein. With Lesotho lacking a FIFA-approved stadium, the fixture was moved across the border to South Africa. Mohau Nkota marked his first start since leaving Orlando Pirates for Al Ettifaq with an early opener, before Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis struck in the second half.

The victory, however, came at a cost as defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Moloisane picked up injuries ahead of Tuesday’s crucial home match against Nigeria. South Africa lead the group on 16 points, five ahead of Benin, who beat Zimbabwe 1-0 through a Steve Mounie goal. Nigeria, a further nine points adrift, face Rwanda on Saturday.

Other notable results included Gambia’s surprise 3-1 win over Kenya in Nairobi, with Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh among the scorers. In Group F, the outcome had no effect at the top, with Ivory Coast and Gabon set to battle for leadership on Tuesday.

In Group G, Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy scored his first international goal for Guinea in a 3-0 victory over Somalia. But despite his prolific club season with 38 goals, Guinea’s campaign looks all but over as they sit fourth, eight points behind leaders Algeria.