LMorocco booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a commanding 5-0 victory against Niger in Rabat on Friday, sealing the top spot in Group E with two games to spare.
The North African side, who made history by reaching the semi-finals in Qatar 2022, became the first African nation to qualify for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The match turned in Morocco’s favor 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 second-placed Tanzania, ensuring a seventh World Cup appearance. Only Ounahi among Friday’s scorers featured in the 2022 squad, with coach Walid Regragui introducing new talent like PSV Eindhoven’s Saibari.
Elsewhere in African qualifying, Egypt maintained their momentum with a 2-0 win over Ethiopia in Cairo, thanks to late first-half penalties from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. Egypt can secure qualification with a win over Burkina Faso on Tuesday.
In Group B, the Democratic Republic of Congo thrashed South Sudan 4-1 in Juba. Cedric Bakambu scored twice, with new Newcastle signing Yoane Wissa and Keer Majak also on the scoresheet. DR Congo now leads Senegal by a single point ahead of a crucial clash in Kinshasa on Tuesday. Senegal defeated Sudan 2-0 with goals from Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr.
In Group C, South Africa continued their strong form with a 3-0 win over Lesotho in Bloemfontein. Mohau Nkota opened the scoring, followed by goals from Lyle Foster and Oswin Appollis. The victory came at a cost, however, as defenders Nyiko Mobbie and Thabo Moloisane suffered injuries ahead of Tuesday’s key home game against Nigeria. South Africa leads the group on 16 points, five ahead of Benin, who beat Zimbabwe 1-0 through Steve Mounie. Nigeria, nine points behind, face Rwanda on Saturday.
Other notable results included Gambia’s 3-1 upset win over Kenya in Nairobi. In Group F, Ivory Coast and Gabon remain set to battle for the top spot on Tuesday.
In Group G, Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy scored his first international goal for Guinea in a 3-0 victory over Somalia, but Guinea’s campaign is effectively over, sitting fourth, eight points behind leaders Algeria.
