Morocco became the first African nation to secure a spot at next year’s World Cup on Friday, sealing qualification with a dominant 5-0 victory over Niger in Rabat. The win guaranteed them top place in Group E and extended their perfect run in the qualifiers to six matches.
Ismael Saibari struck twice, while Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane and Azzedine Ounahi also found the net, ensuring Morocco’s 100% record. Their closest challengers, Tanzania, were held to a 1-1 draw by Congo earlier in the day, leaving them on 10 points from six games compared to Morocco’s 18.
The Atlas Lions, who made history in 2022 as the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final, have remained Africa’s highest-ranked side ever since.
Elsewhere on a busy night of 14 qualifiers across the continent, Egypt maintained control of Group A with a 2-0 home win over Ethiopia. Mohamed Salah converted from the spot for his seventh goal of the campaign, before Omar Marmoush added a second penalty. Burkina Faso stayed five points behind after thrashing Djibouti 6-0, with braces from Dango Ouattara and Edmond Tapsoba.
In Group F, African champions Ivory Coast returned to the summit after a narrow 1-0 win over Burundi, courtesy of a third-minute strike by Vakoun Bayo. They now sit a point above Gabon, who they will face away on Tuesday.
Group B remains finely poised, with just one point separating leaders DR Congo and Senegal. Cedric Bakambu’s double and a Yoane Wissa goal helped DR Congo beat South Sudan 4-1, while Senegal overcame Sudan 2-0 in Dakar thanks to Kalidou Koulibaly and Pape Matar Sarr. The two giants meet in Kinshasa on Tuesday.
South Africa stayed firmly in control of Group C, five points clear of Benin. Burnley’s Lyle Foster scored as Bafana Bafana swept aside Lesotho 3-0, while Steve Mounie’s goal gave Benin victory over Zimbabwe. Nigeria, struggling so far, remain in contention but must win their upcoming fixtures against Rwanda and South Africa.
In Group G, Algeria’s chances improved significantly after second-placed Mozambique were thrashed 4-0 in Uganda, while in Group H Namibia’s defeat to Malawi means Tunisia can book their place if they beat Equatorial Guinea away on Monday.
Winners of all nine groups qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup in North America. The four best runners-up will advance to a playoff in November, offering one additional route to the finals.
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France is expected to decline a U.S. invitation to join a proposed international ‘Board of Peace’ on Gaza, with sources close to President Emmanuel Macron saying Paris is not prepared, at this stage, to give a favourable response.
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U.S. President Donald Trump has linked his push to take control of Greenland to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize, as tensions with Europe escalate and the European Union considers retaliatory measures that could reignite a transatlantic trade war.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has accepted an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to become a founding member of the U.S.-led Board of Peace, while France has declined to take part, citing concerns over the body’s mandate.
The death toll from a devastating fire at a shopping centre in Karachi has climbed to 26, with dozens of people still missing as rescue efforts continue, according to local media.
France is expected to decline a U.S. invitation to join a proposed international ‘Board of Peace’ on Gaza, with sources close to President Emmanuel Macron saying Paris is not prepared, at this stage, to give a favourable response.
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