Morocco first African team to book ticket to 2026 World Cup

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World Cup qualifiers

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Morocco 5 Niger 0

Qualified teams

Host nations: Canada, Mexico, United States

Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan

Africa: Morocco

Concacaf: None yet

Europe: None yet

Oceania: New Zealand

South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay

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Incredible. Commanding. Lethal and unplayable. These adjectives define Morocco’s football team – the Atlas Lions.

If Morocco performs to the standards they demonstrated in their 5-0 thumping win over Niger on Friday in the World Cup qualifier that sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup, the North Africans, semi-finalists in the 2022 World Cup, will not just progress to the final this time. They will win it.

Surely, under the watchful eyes of Walid Regragui, Morocco will certainly become the first African country to lift the FIFA World Cup.

Fred Kaweesi outside Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium ahead of the World Cup qualifier between Morocco and Niger

Morocco did not just become the first African country to qualify for the finals, they did it in style.

The Atlas Lions have since won all their six Group E matches, scoring 19 goals and conceding just two.

Against Niger, Morocco showed just why they are Africa’s number one football nation, demolishing the West Africans with a brace from Ismail Saibari (on 29 and 38 minutes), Ayoub El Kaabi (on 51 minutes), Hamza Igamane (on 69 minutes) and Azzedine Ounahi in the 85th minute to seal the 5-0 victory.

It proved to be a perfect evening for Morocco as they played the first match at the redeveloped Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, which will stage the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final next January and be used when the kingdom co-hosts the 2030 World Cup.

The atmosphere was electric at the stadium from start to finish. Before kickoff, fans unveiled an impressive Tifo featuring a lion proudly holding the World Cup trophy, with the message: “The Trophy Is Our Dream.”

The fans’ expectations are clear. It's now down to Achraf Hakimi and his teammates to deliver. And yes, they can. They certainly have the technical and tactical capacity to cope with any top side in world football.

But first things first. The Africa Cup of Nations is in December-January and the first expect Morocco to lift it on home soil.

Fred Kaweesi inside the Prince Abdellah Stadium during the World Cup qualifier between Morocco and Niger

Regragui says expectations are now much higher than before for the Atlas Lions. “Fans have the right to demand the (AFCON) trophy. They have been waiting for it for so long. I have this mission, this difficult mission. I have big ambitions and want this to happen.”

Morocco is a complete team. The Atlas Lions are defensively sound, creative in midfield and smart in attack. Their five front-runners, Brahim Diaz, Youssef En-Nesyri, Saibari, Ayoub El Kaabi and Eliesse Ben Seghir can annihilate any team.

Then there is Sofyan Amrabat. Amrabat is the team’s orchestra. He offers Morocco insurance in crucial areas of the pitch and allows the front five the freedom and license to attack without worrying about leaving space behind them.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino saluted the Atlas Lions on their World Cup journey.

“Congratulations to Morocco, who are set to play in the World Cup for the seventh time in their history,” Infantino said in a video shared on social media Friday evening. He described the team’s campaign as a “remarkable performance” and highlighted Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, expressing anticipation for “new feats” under coach Walid Regragui.

Infantino also emphasised the symbolic significance of this qualification ahead of the centenary edition of the World Cup in 2030, which Morocco will co-host. “For now, it’s time to celebrate this qualification for the most fabulous edition of the FIFA World Cup in 2026,” he added.

Eight more group winners in African qualifying are guaranteed to join the Atlas Lions at the 2026 finals, with the four best-placed runners-up entering play-offs for a slot at an intercontinental tournament.