Morocco on Brink of Historic World Cup Qualification: Atlas Lions Poised to Lead African Charge

Ranked in Group E, Morocco will face Niger on September 5 in Rabat and Zambia on September 8 in Lusaka as part of the 7th and 8th matchdays of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. In case of victory against Niger, the Atlas Lions will only need one point to validate their ticket for the 2026 World Cup and become de facto the first African country qualified for the expanded 48-nation global competition, analyzes Daily Mail. Currently, the Moroccans are at the top of the standings with 15 points in five matches in a mini-league reduced from six to five teams due to the unexplained withdrawal of Eritrea before the first matchday. Tanzania has nine points, Zambia and Niger six each. Congo, which has conceded three defaults due to a temporary withdrawal due to government interference in sports management, does not earn any points.

With their captain Achraf Hakimi, Morocco - semi-finalist of the 2022 World Cup - can make their mark. The Moroccan right-back is in great shape. He contributed to Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League triumph. After an exceptional season with the Parisian club, he is among the 30 nominees for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, alongside two other Africans, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy. Captain of Morocco, he led the team to third place and the bronze medal in the men’s football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The former Real Madrid and Inter player has big dreams for his country. "My dream now is to win a trophy with Morocco, either the World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations," he told the media.

Morocco will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations starting December 21. The Atlas Lions are favorites to conquer Africa for the first time since 1976.