World Cup
Morocco First African Nation to Seal 2026 World Cup Ticket in Style
By KUNLE SOLAJA, Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Morocco have once again underlined their dominance in African football. They became the first nation from the continent to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They accomplished this in emphatic fashion.
The Atlas Lions secured a 5-0 victory over Niger Republic in Rabat on Saturday. This match marked their first outing at the newly refurbished Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. It was a statement victory.
The result sealed their place at the expanded 48-team finals with two qualifying matches still to play.
With Eritrea’s withdrawal reducing Group E to five teams, Morocco’s qualification was always within reach.
But their ruthless demolition of Niger left no doubts about their intent. The stadium was filled to capacity. It roared on Achraf Hakimi and his teammates. They produced a dazzling display befitting their status as Africa’s top-ranked side.
Ismael Saibari opened the scoring in the 20th minute from Youssef Belammari’s cross. He doubled the lead just before half-time by tapping in Hakimi’s cutback.
Ayoub El Kaabi added a third shortly after the restart from another Belammari assist, while substitute Hamza Igamane grabbed his maiden international goal from a clever corner routine.
Azzedine Ounahi put the icing on the cake with a curling strike to complete the rout.
The comfortable win means Morocco’s remaining fixtures — an away trip to Zambia and a home tie against Congo — are now mere formalities.
Saturday’s occasion carried added symbolism: it was not only Morocco’s first match at the redeveloped Moulay Abdellah Complex, but also a showcase of the stadium that will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final and later serve as a venue when the kingdom co-hosts the 2030 World Cup.
Eight other group winners will join Morocco in booking automatic spots for 2026, while the four best runners-up will head into play-offs for a chance at an intercontinental berth.
This day will remain etched in the annals of Moroccan football. With this resounding victory, the Atlas Lions have secured their place in the World Cup for the third consecutive time and the seventh in their history.
Walid Regragui’s men needed just one point to formalise their qualification. They ultimately collected three, and in style, to the delight of the tens of thousands of fans in the stands and millions more watching.
With 18 points from six matches, they sit atop Group E, now out of reach of their pursuers.
The inauguration of the Moulay Abdellah Complex, which hosted its first match after a complete reconstruction, transformed the evening into a veritable popular celebration. By 4 p.m., Moroccan fans had invaded the grounds and stands of the stadium, coloring the stadium red and green, and giving their voices relentlessly.
On the pitch, Achraf Hakimi’s teammates put on a show, while in the stands, chants, tifos and flags created a grandiose scene, worthy of a great football evening.Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
World Cup
Atlas Lions Roar Again: Morocco Hold Five-Time Champions, Brazil In Another World Cup Statement
By Kunle Solaja.
Before a capacity crowd of 80,663 spectators at the New Jersey /New York, Morocco made a strong statement of intent at the FIFA World Cup on Saturday, holding five-time champions Brazil to a 1-1 draw in a compelling Group C opener and reinforcing their credentials as one of the tournament’s most dangerous teams.
The Atlas Lions, who captured the world’s attention with their historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar 2022, showed once again that they can compete toe-to-toe with football’s traditional powerhouses.
Morocco were the better side for much of the opening half and deservedly took the lead in the 21st minute through midfielder Ismael Saibari.
The goal came from a swift and incisive counter-attack. Brahim Diaz threaded a perfectly weighted pass through the Brazilian defence, allowing Saibari to burst through the middle and calmly finish past the goalkeeper.
Brazilian fans react in disbelief after Morocco’s Ismael Saibari fired the Atlas Lions into a shock first-half lead during their FIFA World Cup Group C clash in New Jersey. Photo: Reuters/Dylan Martinez.
The North Africans continued to dictate the tempo and looked the more threatening side as Brazil struggled to impose themselves on the contest.
However, the South Americans drew level in the 32nd minute through a moment of brilliance from Vinicius Junior. The winger cut inside from the left flank before curling an unstoppable right-footed effort into the top corner to restore parity.
Despite the setback, Morocco remained disciplined and organised, frustrating Brazil’s star-studded attack for long periods.
Brazil improved after the break as coach Carlo Ancelotti introduced several substitutes and instructed his team to press higher up the pitch. The changes allowed the Seleção to enjoy more possession and territorial advantage.
Yet Morocco’s defensive structure proved difficult to break down. The Atlas Lions sat compactly, denied Brazil space in dangerous areas and successfully protected their goal despite sustained pressure.
The result will be viewed positively by Morocco, who earned a valuable point against one of the pre-tournament favourites and extended their reputation as a team capable of troubling the world’s elite.
With Colombia and Uzbekistan also in Group C, the draw leaves Morocco well positioned as they continue their quest to reach the knockout stages and build on their groundbreaking achievements from Qatar four years ago.
For the Atlas Lions, the performance was further proof that their rise in world football is no temporary phenomenon. Against the most successful nation in World Cup history, Morocco showed once again that they belong among the game’s leading contenders.
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By Kunle Solaja, Vancouver
Morocco’s players insist they are not satisfied with making history in Qatar 2022 and are now focused on pushing African football to even greater heights.
The Atlas Lions head into their opening World Cup match against Brazil buoyed by a series of achievements that have transformed the country’s football landscape.
In addition to the senior team’s World Cup exploits, Morocco’s Under-20 side captured the nation’s first FIFA title in 2025, defeating Argentina 2-0 in the FIFA U-20 World Cup final in Chile.
The success has reinforced Morocco’s growing reputation as a football powerhouse, backed by significant investment in infrastructure, youth development and coaching.
Facing Brazil presents the ultimate benchmark.
While the South Americans remain favourites, Morocco have already shown they can overcome football’s aristocrats. Their victories over Spain and Portugal in Qatar changed perceptions worldwide, while the win over Brazil in Tangier provided further evidence of their growing stature.
Now, with another World Cup campaign beginning, the Atlas Lions are determined to show that Moroccan football’s rise is far from over. Their first test comes against the most decorated nation in World Cup history, but Morocco have built a reputation for thriving when the odds are stacked against them.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nearly three decades after Brazil ended Morocco’s 1998 World Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory in France, the Atlas Lions have a chance to settle an old score when the two nations meet again in Group C.
The teams have met only once before at a World Cup, when goals from Brazilian stars Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Bebeto secured victory in Nantes.
Morocco have never defeated South American opposition at the World Cup, having also suffered a 3-0 loss to Peru in 1970. Yet the current generation has repeatedly shattered barriers that once appeared impossible.
The Atlas Lions arrive unbeaten in their last four World Cup group-stage matches, having won two and drawn two during their memorable run in Qatar. Another positive result against Brazil would further cement their reputation as one of world football’s emerging powers.
For many Moroccan supporters, the match represents more than just a group-stage fixture. It is an opportunity to demonstrate how far the national team has progressed since its previous World Cup encounters with football’s traditional giants.
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