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Morocco, led by Ballon d’Or nominee Achraf Hakimi, could secure Africa’s first place at the 2026 World Cup this week. A victory over Niger in Rabat on matchday seven would give the Atlas Lions an unassailable lead in Group E, unless second-placed Tanzania records a win in Congo Brazzaville earlier the same day.
Even if Tanzania were to triumph, Morocco—who reached the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup—would likely only see their qualification delayed. Following the Niger clash, Morocco travels to Zambia for a September 8 fixture in Ndola, needing just one point to confirm a place in the expanded 48-nation tournament.
Morocco tops Group E with 15 points from five games in a mini-league reduced to five teams after Eritrea’s withdrawal before matchday one. Tanzania follows on nine points, while Zambia and Niger have six apiece, and Congo remains pointless after failing to fulfil three fixtures due to government interference.
Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain defender, is regarded as one of the world’s finest right-backs, having helped PSG lift the 2024-25 Champions League and score in a 5-0 final rout of Inter Milan. He also captained Morocco to bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and is among 30 African players nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or alongside Mohamed Salah and Serhou Guirassy.
“My dream now is to win a trophy with Morocco—either the World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations,” Hakimi told local media. Morocco will host the 2025 Cup of Nations from December 21, starting as favourites for their first continental triumph since 1976.
Egypt, led by Salah, is also well-placed to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup, with victories over Ethiopia and Burkina Faso sufficient to top Group A. Nigeria, historically successful in World Cup qualifying but struggling this campaign, sits fourth in Group C, six points behind leaders South Africa. Victor Osimhen stressed the importance of earning qualification despite a squad filled with European stars.
Ghana have revived their fortunes after a disappointing 2025 Cup of Nations campaign, needing wins over Chad and Mali to secure a strong position in Group I. Coach Otto Addo boasts attacking talents including Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams, while Mali, originally seeded to win, lags six points behind Ghana with four games remaining.
Matchday seven fixtures begin on Wednesday, followed by matchday eight on Sunday, with the final two rounds scheduled between October 8 and 14. All nine group winners will claim direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup
