Morocco have written another chapter in African football history. The Atlas Lions became the first team from the continent to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a commanding 5-0 victory over Niger in Rabat.
The match was more than a qualifier. It was Morocco’s first game at the newly redeveloped Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, and the atmosphere reflected the occasion. Fans roared from the first whistle, and the players responded with a ruthless display of attacking football.
Ismael Saibari was the star of the game, striking twice before half-time to put his side in control. Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi added three more goals in the second half, as Niger, reduced to ten men early on, struggled to cope with Morocco’s pace and precision.
This was Morocco’s sixth straight win in qualifying, giving them an uncatchable 18 points at the top of Group E. With two games still to play, their passage to a seventh World Cup finals was already confirmed.
The victory carried echoes of Morocco’s remarkable run in Qatar 2022. That campaign saw them defeat giants like Spain and Portugal before bowing out to France in the semi-finals, becoming the first African side to reach that stage. Such a performance suggested the hunger for more history remains alive.
Coach Walid Regragui has blended old and new. Only Ounahi among the scorers was part of the 2022 squad. Saibari, who plays for PSV Eindhoven, represents the new generation being integrated into a team that already carries global respect.
Now, with qualification assured, the focus shifts to building momentum for the finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For Morocco, the dream is no longer just to compete. It is to go further than ever before.
