Morocco has indeed etched its name into World Cup qualification history. Let me delve into that milestone and then walk you through their top 10 recent matches, offering a comprehensive analysis .
Morocco officially became the first African country to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals following a dominating 5–0 victory over Niger on September 5, 2025, in Rabat. With six wins from six group matches, Morocco topped Group E with a perfect record, making their qualification mathematically certain .
Goalscorers in the Niger Match:
Ismael Saibari – opened scoring (29′), doubled lead (38′)
Ayoub El Kaabi – 3rd goal (51′)
Hamza Igamane – 4th (69′)
Azzedine Ounahi – 5th (85′)
This emphatic win sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup and underscored their status as Africa’s top side, riding on a wave of form and consistency.
2. Morocco’s Top 10 Recent Matches (2024–2025)
Below is a curated overview of Morocco’s ten most notable matches from mid-2024 into 2025, spanning World Cup qualifiers and the African Nations Championship (CHAN). These games showcase their dominance, football quality, and strategic depth:
World Cup 2026 Qualifiers (CAF Group E)
1. Morocco vs Zambia – 2-1 (7 June 2024, World Cup Qualifier)
Morocco edged Zambia at home, thanks to an early penalty from Hakim Ziyech and a second-half goal from Eliesse Ben Seghir. Zambia pulled one back to make it tense, but Morocco held on .
2. Morocco vs Niger – 5-0 (5 September 2025, World Cup Qualifier)
The historic match where Morocco sealed qualification—an overwhelming, attack-heavy performance, with Saibari, El Kaabi, Igamane, and Ounahi among the scorers .
African Nations Championship (CHAN) – 2025 Edition
3. Morocco vs Angola – 2-0 (3 August 2025)
A confident start to CHAN, delivering a clean win .
4. Kenya vs Morocco – 1-0 (10 August 2025)
A tough away fixture in Kenya ended in defeat, highlighting occasional vulnerabilities .
5. Morocco vs Zambia – 3-1 (14 August 2025)
Strong recovery post-Kenya loss, overpowering Zambia with a solid attacking display .
6. DR Congo vs Morocco – 1-3 (17 August 2025)
Moroccan resilience shone through with a convincing road win in Kinshasa .
7. Tanzania vs Morocco – 0-1 (22 August 2025)
A tight, low-scoring victory in Tanzania’s backyard .
8. Morocco vs Senegal – 1-1 (1-1, then 5-3 on penalties) (26 August 2025)
A closely fought draw against strong opposition, with Morocco prevailing in penalties to advance .
9. Madagascar vs Morocco – 2-3 (30 August 2025)
An exciting, high-scoring thriller that Morocco managed to edge, showcasing both offensive firepower and defensive lapses .
Friendly Match (Preparation Phase)
10. Morocco vs Mauritania – 0-0 (26 March 2024, Friendly)
A goalless friendly—perhaps uneventful on the surface, but useful tactically to test formations and cohesion .
3. Performance Patterns & Highlights
A. Consistent Dominance in Qualifiers
Morocco’s flawless streak—six wins in six qualifying games—sets them apart as Africa’s strongest in the 2026 campaign .
B. Attacking Style and Depth
Reports stress their attacking firepower: FIFA noted Morocco had “scored four goals or more in six of their last seven matches,” highlighting their “formidable attacking strength” under coach Walid Regragui .
Brahim Díaz, in particular, has been prolific: seven goals in eight matches with two assists—a remarkable goal contribution ratio .
C. Tactical Versatility and Resilience
Their recuperation after setbacks—like bouncing back from a CHAN loss in Kenya to string together wins—shows adaptability. Knocking out Senegal in a tense shootout adds to their mental strength .
D. Strategic Use of Squad Depth
The CHAN used locally based players, while qualifiers feature full-strength squads including superstars like Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou, and Brahim Díaz—demonstrating depth and rotation efficacy.
4. Looking Ahead: 2026 World Cup & CHAN Goals
World Cup Aspirations: Morocco enters the 48-team tournament as a contender—solidified by their qualification, prior success (Qatar 2022 semi-finalists), and current form .
CHAN Momentum: Positive performances in CHAN suggest momentum and a winning culture developing even among domestically based players.
Going forward, crucial factors will include:
Managing squad rotation to balance CHAN and World Cup preparations.
Tactical flexibility against varied global opponents on the biggest stage.
Leveraging attacking strengths, particularly form players like Brahim Díaz and Hakimi.
Summary Table: Morocco’s Top 10 Recent Matches
# Match Competition Result Highlights
1 Morocco vs Zambia WCQ (7 June 2024) 2–1 Ziyech penalty, tight win
2 Morocco vs Niger WCQ (5 Sep 2025) 5–0 Historic qualification, attacking masterclass
3 Morocco vs Angola CHAN (3 Aug 2025) 2–0 Solid, clean start to CHAN
4 Kenya vs Morocco CHAN (10 Aug 2025) 1–0 Rare setback
5 Morocco vs Zambia CHAN (14 Aug 2025) 3–1 Rebound win, strong performance
6 DR Congo vs Morocco CHAN (17 Aug 2025) 3–1 Impressive road victory
7 Tanzania vs Morocco CHAN (22 Aug 2025) 1–0 Narrow away win, tactical discipline
8 Morocco vs Senegal CHAN (26 Aug 2025) 1–1 (p 5–3) Nerve-wracking shootout win
9 Madagascar vs Morocco CHAN (30 Aug 2025) 3–2 High-scoring thriller, edge win
10 Morocco vs Mauritania Friendly (26 Mar 2024) 0–0 Tactical experiment, controlled environment
Final Thoughts
Morocco’s journey to becoming the first African nation to clinch a spot at the 2026 World Cup showcases a blend of consistency, attacking innovation, depth, and mental fortitude. Their recent matches—from World Cup qualifiers to CHAN—paint a picture of a team brimming with confidence and capability.
As they gear up for the 2026 finals, expectations are high. With a balanced pipeline of home-grown and international talent, plus a proven formula under Regragui, Morocco stands poised to make another deep run on football’s grandest stage.
