Morocco Storms into 2026 World Cup with 5-0 Rout of Niger at New Rabat Stadium

Dominant from the start of the match, Walid Regragui’s players faced a Nigerien team grouped in defense. The turning point of the match came in the 26th minute with the expulsion of the Nigerien player Coulibaly. Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, the Moroccans quickly opened the scoring through Ismaïl Saibari (29th), who then scored a brace before half-time (38th).

In the second half, the Atlas Lions continued to control the match. Ayoub El Kaabi scored the third goal shortly after the return from the locker room (51st). Substitute Hamza Igamane scored the fourth goal on his first touch (69th), before Azzedine Ounahi closed the scoring at the end of the match (85th).

This victory took place in a celebratory atmosphere, marking the official inauguration of the capital’s stadium after its renovation. The Moroccan supporters, present in large numbers, deployed a tifo at the beginning of the match, encouraging their team ahead of the next Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Morocco.

With this success, Morocco consolidates its first place in group E with 18 points, mathematically ensuring its qualification. The Moroccan national team’s next qualifying match will take place this Monday, September 8th, in Zambia.