FIFA World Cup 2026: Morocco defeated Niger 5-0 at home on Friday to secure their top spot in their group and become the first African nation to secure a spot in the World Cup finals the following year.
After Abdul-Latif Goumey was sent off, Ismael Saibari scored twice in the first half. Ayoub el Kaabi, Hamza Igamane, and Azzedine Ounahi added goals in the second half to clinch the victory.
Morocco secured a seventh trip to the world championship with two games remaining after winning six in a row, giving them an unstoppable advantage of 18 points, eight more than Tanzania.
The Moroccans have been the top-ranked African team ever since they became the first African nation to advance to a World Cup semifinal in Qatar in 2022.
In the semifinals, it lost 2-0 to France, ending the incredible journey.
Premier League players Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush converted late first-half penalties to help Egypt defeat Ethiopia 2-0 in Cairo in Group A.
With three games remaining, Egypt leads Burkina Faso by five points after the latter defeated Djibouti, who are in last position, 6-0 with to doubles from defender Edmond Tapsoba and Dango Ouattara.
After defeating Burundi 1-0 in Abidjan, African champions Ivory Coast returned to the top of Group F, one point ahead of Gabon, their next away opponent on Tuesday.
If Egypt defeats second-place Burkina Faso on the road Tuesday, it will be able to travel with Morocco to the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the 2026 World Cup.
The Congolese won 4-1 in South Sudan thanks to two goals from Cedric Bakambu and one from Yoane Wissa, while Senegal defeated Sudan 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Pape Matar Sarr and Kalidou Koulibaly, the captain.
Both teams won on Friday, and South Africa is still five points ahead of second-place Benin in Group C.
