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Morocco First African Nation to Seal 2026 World Cup Ticket in Style

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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.

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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.

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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.

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 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

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

World Cup

List of qualified teams for the 2026 World Cup

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The following is a list of teams that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

UNITED STATES

Taking part as hosts

Best performance: Third place (1930)

MEXICO:

Taking part as hosts

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Best performance: Quarter-finals (1970, 1986)

CANADA:

Taking part as hosts

Best performance: Group stage (1986, 2022)

JAPAN

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Qualified on March, 20.

Best performance: Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)

NEW ZEALAND

Qualified on March, 24.

Best performance: Group stage (1982, 2010)

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IRAN

Qualified on March, 25.

Best performance: Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022)

ARGENTINA

Qualified on March, 25.

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Best performance: Winners (1978, 1986, 2022)

UZBEKISTAN

Qualified on June, 5.

Best performance: Never previously qualified.

SOUTH KOREA

Qualified June, 5.

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Best performance: Fourth place (2002)

JORDAN

Qualified June, 5.

Best performance: Never previously qualified.

AUSTRALIA

Qualified June, 10.

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Best performance: Round of 16 (2006, 2022)

BRAZIL

Qualified June, 10.

Best performance: Winners (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)

ECUADOR

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Qualified June, 10.

Best performance: Round of 16 (2006)

URUGUAY

Qualified September, 4.

Best performance: Winners (1930, 1950)

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COLOMBIA

Qualified September, 4.

Best performance: Quarter-finals (2014)

PARAGUAY

Qualified September, 4.

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Best performance: Quarter-finals (2010)

MOROCCO

Qualified September, 5.

Best performance: Semi-finals (2022)

TUNISIA

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Qualified September, 8.

Best performance: Group Stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022)

EGYPT

Qualified October, 8.

Best performance: Round of 16 (1934)

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-Reuters

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Egypt defeat Djibouti to qualify for World Cup

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Egypt became the third African country to book a berth at next year’s World Cup finals with an easy 3-0 win over Djibouti in Casablanca on Wednesday that secured them top place in Group A with one game remaining.

Egypt, who have competed at three previous World Cups, join fellow north African nations Morocco and Tunisia at the 2026 tournament in North America.

-Reuters

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Logistics reduce Super Eagles 23-man squad

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Forward Victor Osimhen is back after missing the game against South Africa in Bloemfontein due to injury.

Russia-based forward Olakunle Olusegun is still awaiting an entry visa to South Africa, creating the possibility that Nigeria may prosecute the encounter with only 21 available players.

Friday’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.

Head Coach Eric Sekou Chelle will have a total of 20 players available for Wednesday’s second training session, as the Super Eagles intensify preparations for the tie against the Crocodiles.

By Tuesday night, 18 players had checked into the team’s camp at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane, with Portugal-based defender Zaidu Sanusi and Spain-based forward Jerome Akor Adams expected to join on Wednesday. United States-based midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi is due to arrive on Thursday.

Chelle has had to adjust his squad following injuries to Bright Osayi-Samuel and Cyriel Dessers, prompting the late inclusion of Zaidu Sanusi and Christantus Uche of Crystal Palace. Earlier, a knock to wing-back Felix Agu had reduced the initial 23-man roster to 22.

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Team captain William Ekong lacing his boots for training in Polokwane on Tuesday

Friday’s Matchday 9 fixture will kick off at 6pm South Africa time (5pm Nigeria time) at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, as the Super Eagles aim to strengthen their position in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying race.

21 SUPER EAGLES TO BATTLE LESOTHO IN POLOKWANE

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Volos FC, Greece)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England)

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Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Jerome Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain)

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