Atlas Lions book 2026 ticket
Morocco stamped its passport to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a swaggering 5-0 rout of Niger in Rabat on 5 September, a result that locked first place in African qualifying Group E and guaranteed the Atlas Lions a third consecutive appearance on football’s biggest stage.
Before kick-off Walid Regragui’s men needed only one point, yet they collected all three to climb to an unassailable 18 points from six games, leaving Tanzania on 10, Zambia and Niger on six apiece, and Congo on a solitary point with one round left.
Five-goal fiesta in Rabat
The party began on 29 minutes when Ismael Saibari ghosted between defenders to head home, then doubled the margin nine minutes later with a low drive from the edge of the box. After the break Ayoub El Kaabi, Hamza Igamane and Azeddine Ounahi added further gloss.
Morocco finished with 62 % possession, 18 shots and a defensive record still unblemished in the campaign. Niger’s goalkeeper Daouda Kassaly produced several brave stops to keep the score respectable, yet the Menas lacked the cutting edge required to threaten Yassine Bounou at the other end.
Saibari and El Kaabi shine
Saibari, born in Spain to Moroccan parents, described his brace as “a childhood dream”, crediting the squad’s unity for their consistent results. The PSV Eindhoven midfielder has gradually forced his way into Regragui’s first XI and now boasts three goals in his last four international outings.
Up front, captain El Kaabi reached double figures in qualifying, while late substitute Igamane celebrated his senior debut with a calm side-foot finish. “Competition for places is fierce and healthy,” the coach smiled afterward, hinting the door remains open for form players before the World Cup.
Revamped Moulay Abdellah Complex
The encounter also served as a grand opening for the refurbished Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, completely rebuilt in just 22 months. The 65,000-seat arena now flaunts a hybrid grass surface, 4K giant screens and wide concourses designed for fast, safe circulation on crowded match nights.
Local authorities reported that 1,500 temporary jobs were created during construction, while match-day vendors hailed the “renaissance” of Rabat’s western district. The venue will co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, making Friday’s performance an early taste of the festival to come.
What it means for Central African fans
In Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire many football lovers followed the action live, sharing reactions on social platforms and comparing Morocco’s clinical edge with the Red Devils’ ongoing rebuilding phase. “Their pressing is a model,” noted local analyst Aristide Mouanda, urging Congo to draw tactical lessons soon.
Congolese supporters also took heart from Niger’s resilience, arguing that smart organization can offset budget gaps. The Congolese Football Federation confirmed friendly talks with Rabat about a potential warm-up match in 2024, an occasion that could give domestic talents priceless exposure against a world-class opponent.
Road to home-AFCON 2025
Attention now shifts to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which Morocco will host from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. Winning at home would hand the kingdom only its second continental crown after 1976 and underline the momentum generated by Qatar 2022’s semi-final run.
Coach Regragui insists rotation will be key, with further scouting planned in Europe, North America and within Botola Pro. “Depth keeps everyone honest,” he said, adding that younger names like Igamane or Strasbourg defender Abakar Sylla must seize minutes in upcoming friendlies to cement roles.
Numbers that tell the story
Friday’s triumph marked Morocco’s seventh World Cup qualification after 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018 and 2022. Only Cameroon, Nigeria and Tunisia have matched or surpassed that tally among African nations, underscoring how the Atlas Lions have transformed consistency into a habit rather than an exception.
The side also extended its unbeaten competitive streak to 17 matches, conceding just twice while scoring 46 times. For goalkeeper Bounou it was a 50th clean sheet for his country, a milestone that drew a standing ovation and a commemorative jersey from federation president Fouzi Lekjaa.
Voices from the stands
Supporters wept, danced and waved thousands of red-and-green flags long after the final whistle. “We came from Agadir by night bus, and it was worth every kilometre,” smiled student Safaa Nour, who filmed celebrations for her TikTok channel followed by nearly 40,000 young Maghreb viewers.
Local hotels reported 92 % occupancy, a boost welcomed by tour operators rebuilding after global travel slowdowns. Street vendors around the stadium sold out of grilled sardines and fresh coconut milk, underlining how big-match nights support micro-economies as well as national pride, especially in shoulder tourism seasons.
With tickets punched, eyes now turn to the final qualifier in Dar-es-Salaam next month, where Regragui may field emerging talents. For the rest of Africa, Morocco’s statement win serves as a friendly warning: the Atlas Lions plan not just to attend 2026, but to roar.
