✨ History Made! Morocco Becomes First African Team to Seal 2026 FIFA World Cup Spot
🦁 Atlas Lions Roar Again
Morocco has done it! The Atlas Lions became the first African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dominant 5-0 victory over Niger in Rabat.
The team, who shocked the world by reaching the semi-finals at Qatar 2022, knew a win would be enough to book their ticket after Tanzania’s 1-1 draw earlier in the day.
⚽ Match Highlights: Morocco 5-0 Niger
-
🟥 Turning point: Niger went down to 10 men in the 26th minute after Abdoul-Latif Goumey was sent off.
-
🦁 Saibari strikes: Ismael Saibari opened the scoring just three minutes later, then doubled the lead before half-time.
-
🎯 Hakimi & Belammari shine: Achraf Hakimi’s precision and Youssef Belammari’s pinpoint crosses set up goals for Saibari and Ayoub El Kaabi.
-
🚀 Impact subs: Former Rangers forward Hamza Igamane scored his first international goal, and Azzedine Ounahi sealed the night with a curling beauty.
It was a perfect evening in the newly redeveloped Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which will also host the AFCON 2025 final and games at the 2030 World Cup.
🌍 The Race for Africa’s World Cup Spots
-
8 group winners will qualify directly.
-
4 best runners-up will fight through playoffs for a shot at an intercontinental tournament.
Pharaohs on the Brink
Egypt are just one step away!
-
Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush scored from the spot in a 2-0 win over Ethiopia.
-
The Pharaohs now sit five points clear in Group A and can confirm their return to the World Cup with a win against Burkina Faso on Tuesday.
🔥 Friday’s Other Heroes
-
Yoane Wissa struck to lead DR Congo to victory.
-
Dango Ouattara delivered for Burkina Faso.
🏆 Africa’s Road to 2026: The Journey Continues
Morocco has opened the gates, but who will follow? The battle for Africa’s tickets to the expanded 48-team World Cup is heating up — and history is waiting to be written again.
____
0 Comments