September 8, 2025 | 11:26 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Morocco’s national football team has officially booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, becoming the first African side to do so. The Atlas Lions secured qualification after a dominant 5-0 win over Niger on Matchday 6 of the African zone qualifiers over the weekend.
Ismael Saibari shone as the star of the match, netting twice in the 29th and 38th minutes. Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi completed the rout with a goal apiece.
The victory cemented Morocco’s position at the top of Group E with a flawless 18 points from six matches, eight points clear of Tanzania in second place. With only two games left, the Atlas Lions cannot be overtaken, ensuring their spot in the final tournament.
This marks Morocco’s third consecutive World Cup appearance. At the 2022 edition in Qatar, they made history as the first African team to reach the semifinals before falling 0-2 to France.
Africa will continue its qualification campaign to determine eight more group winners, while the best four runners-up will compete for a spot in the intercontinental playoff.
With this result, Morocco becomes the 17th team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, joining host nations the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The upcoming tournament will be historic as the first to feature 48 teams, opening greater opportunities for countries across all continents to participate.
Countries Qualified for the 2026 World Cup So Far
Host Nations (3)
United States
Canada
Mexico
Asia (AFC) – 6 Teams
Australia
Iran
Japan
Jordan
South Korea
Uzbekistan
South America (CONMEBOL) – 6 Teams
Argentina
Brazil
Ecuador
Colombia
Paraguay
Uruguay
Oceania (OFC) – 1 Team
New Zealand
Africa (CAF) – 1 Team
Morocco
Europe (UEFA), which holds 16 slots, is still in the early stages of qualification, with group matches having only begun in September 2025. Powerhouses like France, Spain, and Germany are expected to contend strongly, though competition will be shaped by the Nations League.
In North and Central America (CONCACAF), aside from the three host nations, three direct slots and two playoff berths remain in play. Jamaica and Panama are considered dark horses as the second round concluded in June 2025, with playoffs scheduled for November.
With 17 teams already confirmed, the 2026 World Cup promises to be the most diverse edition yet. The tournament kicks off on June 11, 2026, at Mexico’s Estadio Azteca, and concludes with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The group stage draw will take place in Washington, D.C., in December 2025.
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