Morocco Secures Early 2026 World Cup Berth with Dominant Victory
Morocco emphatically punched their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, becoming the first African nation to qualify, with a resounding 5-0 triumph over 10-man Niger in Rabat. The victory, their sixth consecutive in the qualifiers, propelled them to an unassailable 18 points in Group E, eight clear of second-placed Tanzania. Ismael Saibari spearheaded the rout with a first-half brace, capitalizing on Niger’s numerical disadvantage following Abdul-Latif Goumey’s red card. Ayoub el Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi added further gloss to the scoreline in the second half, solidifying Morocco’s seventh World Cup appearance. This early qualification allows the Atlas Lions ample time to prepare for the tournament, building on their historic semi-final run in Qatar 2022.
Morocco’s journey to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals was one of the tournament’s most captivating narratives. They topped a challenging group featuring European powerhouses Croatia and Belgium before orchestrating stunning upsets against Spain and Portugal in the knockout stages. Their dream run ultimately ended against eventual champions France, but their performance resonated globally, establishing Morocco as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. Coach Walid Regragui has overseen a period of transition since the World Cup, integrating new talent like Saibari alongside established names like Ounahi, aiming to build a squad even stronger for the 2026 tournament.
Egypt, DR Congo, and South Africa Edge Closer to Qualification
Elsewhere in the African qualifiers, several other nations made significant strides towards securing their spots in the 2026 World Cup. Egypt edged closer to qualification with a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia, courtesy of two late first-half penalties converted by Premier League stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. A win against second-placed Burkina Faso in their next match would guarantee their place alongside Morocco in the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Democratic Republic of Congo strengthened their position atop Group B with a commanding 4-1 win over South Sudan, inspired by new signing Yoane Wissa, who joined from Brentford in a high-profile transfer. Cedric Bakambu’s brace further solidified DR Congo’s aspirations of returning to the World Cup stage for the first time since 1974.
South Africa maintained their dominance in Group C, dispatching Lesotho 3-0 in a relocated “away” fixture. Mohau Nkota, Lyle Foster, and Oswin Appollis found the back of the net for Bafana Bafana, extending their lead at the top of the group to five points. However, the victory came at a cost, with injuries to defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Moloisane adding to their concerns ahead of a crucial encounter against Nigeria. Benin kept their qualification hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 win over Zimbabwe, courtesy of Steve Mounie’s goal, positioning themselves five points behind South Africa. Nigeria, trailing the leaders by nine points, face Rwanda in their next qualifier, needing a victory to revive their campaign.
Gambia Upsets Kenya While Ivory Coast and Gabon Battle for Group F Supremacy
Gambia pulled off a surprise 3-1 victory over Kenya in Nairobi, with Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh among the scorers. However, the result had minimal impact on the Group F standings, as the Ivory Coast and Gabon are poised for a decisive clash that will likely determine the group winner. Serhou Guirassy, a prolific goalscorer for Borussia Dortmund, marked his first international goal for Guinea in their 3-0 win against Somalia. Despite the victory, Guinea’s disappointing campaign leaves them eight points adrift of Group G leaders Algeria, making Guirassy’s World Cup participation unlikely.
The African qualifiers continue to unfold with a mix of expected outcomes and surprising upsets. Morocco’s early qualification sets a high bar for the other contenders, highlighting the growing competitiveness of African football on the global stage. The race for the remaining World Cup spots promises to be a captivating spectacle, with several nations vying for the opportunity to represent the continent at the 2026 tournament. The qualifying campaign provides a platform for emerging talents and established stars to showcase their abilities, adding further intrigue to the unfolding drama of international football.
