Morocco becomes first African nation to qualify for 2026 world cup after defeating Niger Republic

Morocco have become the first African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after thrashing 10-man Niger 5-0 in Rabat on Friday, September 5, to seal top spot in Group E.

Ismael Saibari struck twice in the first half after Abdul-Latif Goumey was sent off, while Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane and Azzedine Ounahi added further goals in the second half to complete the emphatic win.

The victory, Morocco’s sixth in a row, lifted them to 18 points, eight clear of Tanzania, ensuring qualification for their seventh World Cup appearance with two games still to play.

The Atlas Lions will be hoping to replicate or better their remarkable 2022 campaign in Qatar, where they became the first African side to reach the semi-finals, eliminating Spain and Portugal before falling 2-0 to France.

Only Ounahi from the scorers against Niger featured in Qatar, with coach Walid Regragui refreshing his squad by introducing new talents, including PSV Eindhoven’s Saibari.

Elsewhere in the qualifiers, Egypt defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in Cairo with Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush converting late first-half penalties. Victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday would see the Pharaohs join Morocco at the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

In Group B, Newcastle United’s new signing Yoane Wissa was among the scorers as the Democratic Republic of Congo beat South Sudan 4-1 in Juba to remain top. Cedric Bakambu scored twice, while Senegal stayed within a point of the leaders after a 2-0 win over Sudan in Diamniadio through goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr.

South Africa maintained a five-point cushion in Group C with a 3-0 win over neighbours Lesotho in Bloemfontein. Mohau Nkota, Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis were on target, though injuries to defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Moloisane cast a shadow ahead of their crucial clash with Nigeria on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Steve Mounie’s strike secured Benin a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe, while Gambia stunned Kenya 3-1 in Nairobi with Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh on the scoresheet.

Guinea eased past Somalia 3-0 with Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy netting his first World Cup qualifying goal, though their campaign remains all but over as they sit eight points adrift of Group G leaders Algeria.

Reigning African champions Ivory Coast face Gabon on Tuesday, September 9, in a decisive Group F encounter that could determine the group winner.