Morocco has secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first African nation to qualify for the tournament. The Atlas Lions clinched their spot with a dominant 5-0 victory over Niger in Rabat on Friday, September 5th. This win solidified their position at the top of Group E in the CAF qualifiers with a perfect record.

The match against Niger, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, was a showcase of Morocco's attacking prowess. Ismael Saibari set the tone with two first-half goals. Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi added to the scoreline in the second half, sealing the emphatic victory. Niger struggled to create any significant chances, with their goalkeeper, Yassine Bono, remaining largely untroubled throughout the match.

Morocco's qualification for the 2026 World Cup marks their seventh appearance on the world stage and their third consecutive qualification. This achievement has been met with widespread excitement and anticipation, especially considering the team's historic performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In Qatar, Morocco became the first African team to reach the semi-finals, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide.

The Atlas Lions' success in the qualifiers is a testament to their consistent performance and the quality of their squad. Coached by Walid Regragui, the team boasts talented players such as Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz. With their place secured in the 2026 World Cup, Morocco can now focus on the Africa Cup of Nations, which they will host in December and January.

Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, Morocco aims to replicate or even surpass their performance from Qatar 2022. Their impressive run in the World Cup Qualifiers and the abundance of talent within the team give fans reason to be optimistic about their chances in the upcoming tournament. Other African teams, such as Egypt and South Africa, are also edging closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.