Morocco has become the first African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following a dominant 5-0 victory over Niger in Rabat.
The Atlas Lions clinched top spot in Group E with ease, as Ismaeil Saibari struck twice in the first half before Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi added second-half goals against 10-man Niger, who had Abdul-Latif Goumey sent off.
With the win, Morocco joins 16 other nations already confirmed for the expanded 48-team tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
This qualification marks Morocco’s seventh World Cup appearance and the first time in history that they have reached the global showpiece three times in a row.
The North Africans continue to build on their historic 2022 World Cup run, where they stunned the world by becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals, defeating Portugal in the quarter-finals before falling to eventual runners-up France.
