Morocco defeated Niger 5-0 on Friday to become the first African country to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Atlas Lions sealed their place with in commanding fashion, winning their sixth game in the campaign on the bounce
READ ALSO: ASEC Mimosas Edge Bayelsa Queens to Clinch WAFU B CAF Champions League Ticket
The flawless victory over Niger on Friday, confirmed their status as winners of Group E in the African qualifiers.
Ismael Saibari led the charge with a brace, while Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi were also on target.
The result extended Morocco’s perfect run to six wins from six, making them the only African side with a 100 percent record in the ongoing qualifiers.
The qualification marks Morocco’s seventh appearance at the FIFA World Cup and reinforces their position as Africa’s top-ranked team.
Their breakthrough at Qatar 2022, where they stunned Spain and Portugal en route to becoming the first African semifinalists in World Cup history, remains a landmark moment in global football.
Although they eventually lost to France in the semifinals and fell to the Netherlands in the third-place playoff, Morocco’s performances captivated fans worldwide.
With a star-studded squad featuring global names like Paris Saint-Germain fullback Achraf Hakimi and Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz, Morocco will once again be tipped as one of Africa’s strongest contenders on the world stage.
The Atlas Lions also have another major target in sight before the World Cup.
They will host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in December and January, with the final set for January 18, 2026, in Rabat.
Expectations are high for Walid Regragui’s men to lift the continental title on home soil as they build momentum ahead of the expanded 48-team World Cup.
Morocco’s qualification takes the number of teams who have booked a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to 17 as fight for the remaining slots co Lntinue across the world.
