Morocco Secures First African Spot in the 2026 World Cup with 5-0 Victory Over Niger
Rabat – The Moroccan national team has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first African nation to secure a berth in the tournament.They clinched their spot with a decisive 5-0 win against Niger in Rabat during the seventh round of Group Five qualifiers.
Playing at the newly inaugurated Prince Moulay Abdullah stadium – a 68,000-capacity venue rebuilt over two years following the demolition of the previous stadium – Morocco capitalized on a 26th-minute red card issued to Niger’s Abd al-Latif Ghawi. Ismail Sabiri scored twice (29th and 38th minutes),followed by goals from ayoub El Kaabi (51st),Hamza El Kinani (69th),and Ezzeddine Ounahi (85th).
This qualification marks another milestone for the “Atlas Lions,” who made history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as the first African and Arab team to reach the semi-finals.They are the first team from the African continent and the second Arab nation, following Jordan, to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
With the victory, Morocco now leads Group Five with 18 points, eight points ahead of Tanzania, who drew 1-1 with Congo in another group match.
