Morocco becomes 1st African to qualify for World Cup 2026

Morocco have become 1st African to secure their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after thumping Niger 5-0 in Rabat on Friday to clinch top spot in Group E with two matches to spare

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

The game turned in Morocco’s favour after Niger’s Abdul-Latif Goumey was sent off in the first half. Ismael Saibari scored twice before the break, with Ayoub el Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi adding further goals to complete the rout.

Morocco’s six consecutive wins put them on 18 points, eight clear of Tanzania, guaranteeing a seventh World Cup appearance. Only Ounahi among Friday’s scorers featured in the 2022 squad, with coach Walid Regragui introducing fresh talent including PSV Eindhoven’s Saibari.

At the last World Cup, Morocco topped a group including Croatia and Belgium before eliminating Spain and Portugal, eventually losing to France in the semi-finals.

Elsewhere in African qualifying, Egypt stayed on course with a 2-0 win over Ethiopia in Cairo. Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush converted penalties late in the first half. Egypt will secure qualification with a win against second-placed Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

In Group B, DR Congo thrashed South Sudan 4-1 in Juba, with new Newcastle signing Yoane Wissa among the scorers. Cedric Bakambu scored twice, Wissa added a fourth, and Keer Majak netted a consolation. DR Congo now lead Senegal by a single point ahead of their top-of-the-table clash in Kinshasa on Tuesday, after Senegal beat Sudan 2-0 thanks to goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr.

South Africa continued their strong run in Group C with a 3-0 victory over Lesotho in Bloemfontein. Mohau Nkota opened the scoring, followed by Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis. The win came at a cost as defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Moloisane were injured ahead of Tuesday’s crucial match against Nigeria. South Africa lead the group on 16 points, five ahead of Benin, who defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 through Steve Mounie. Nigeria, nine points behind, face Rwanda on Saturday.

Other results saw Gambia shock Kenya 3-1 in Nairobi, with Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh scoring, while Group F leaders Ivory Coast and Gabon are set to clash on Tuesday. In Group G, Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy scored his first international goal for Guinea in a 3-0 win over Somalia, but Guinea remain fourth, eight points behind leaders Algeria.