RABAT (MOROCCO) – From Qatar to America, the dream continues. Three years after their historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup—the best-ever result for an African nation—Morocco has secured its ticket to the 2026 edition.
The qualification came at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, freshly reopened following renovations and inaugurated just a day earlier by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan. The Atlas Lions sealed first place in Group E with a resounding 5–0 victory over Niger. The match tilted in Morocco’s favour early, as Niger’s Goumey was sent off with a second yellow card in the 26th minute. Oussama El Azzouzi Saibari struck twice in quick succession—first from a Belammari cross (29’), then from Hakimi (38’). In the second half, Ayoub El Kaabi made it three (51’) on another Belammari assist, before goals from Igamane (69’) and Ounahi (84’) completed the rout. Coach Walid Regragui, despite sections of the crowd calling for a more attacking style, consolidated his position with six wins out of six.
The qualification was fueled by the deafening support of 68,700 fans in a sold-out stadium, tickets having vanished within hours. The triumph now shifts momentum toward Morocco’s next target: the Africa Cup of Nations, to be hosted at home from December 18. The Atlas Lions last lifted the continental trophy in 1976, with their most recent final appearance dating back to 2004, when they fell to Tunisia. Fans made their expectations clear with banners demanding, “Now the Africa Cup is our dream”, alongside a choreographed display of a lion hoisting the trophy.
Beyond the players’ physical strength and technical quality, Morocco’s rise reflects years of planning and reform. Since 2014, the government and football federation have invested heavily in stadiums, training centres, and grassroots facilities—even in remote villages. Clubs have been encouraged to adopt professional management models, attracting private investment and creating a sustainable football ecosystem. The results are evident across the board: after the men’s World Cup run in Qatar, the women’s national team reached the final in the last two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, while the men’s U23 side claimed bronze at the Paris Olympics, narrowly missing the final after a dramatic semifinal against Spain.
Now, with a World Cup berth secured and the Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon, Morocco’s journey is far from over. As the country also prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal, lifting Africa’s most prestigious trophy on home soil would be the crowning achievement of a decade-long transformation.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
