Marrakech – Morocco’s national team began their preparation camp on Monday evening ahead of two crucial World Cup qualifying matches.
The Atlas Lions are just one point away from becoming the first African nation to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Morocco could book their tickets to the world’s most prestigious football tournament during this month’s international window (September 3-9) as African qualifying intensifies.
Following an extended campaign that began in November 2023 and ends in October, four rounds of preliminaries are left to play.
The team held their first training session at the Mohammed VI Complex in Maâmoura from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The coaching staff prioritized recovery exercises, as most players had participated in league matches with their respective clubs over the weekend.
Several players were still absent, expected to join the group in the coming hours after fulfilling club commitments or completing late summer transfer moves.
Morocco, coached by Walid Regragui, currently leads Group E with a perfect record of 15 points from five matches, six points ahead of second-placed Tanzania.
The qualification scenario is clear: a win against Niger on Friday, combined with Tanzania failing to beat Congo, would guarantee Morocco’s spot in the World Cup. Even if both teams win, a single point from Morocco’s subsequent match against Zambia on Monday would be sufficient.
The Niger match will be played at the newly renovated Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Friday, September 5, followed by an away fixture against Zambia in Lusaka on Monday, September 8.
The Rabat match will mark the reopening of the stadium, which was rebuilt over two years and now has a capacity of 68,000 spectators.
The upcoming fixtures have personal significance for coach Regragui, who will face his compatriot and former coach, Badou Zaki, who currently manages Niger.
“It’s a beautiful dream to be alongside my first coach Zaki for the opening of the Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Moroccan fans are eager to see this masterpiece, and this is a historic moment in my coaching career,” Regragui said.
Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi, who is among the nominees for the Ballon d’Or, expressed his ambitions with the national team: “My dream now is to win a title with Morocco, either the World Cup or the African Cup of Nations.”
African battle intensifies
Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup would mark Morocco’s third consecutive appearance in the tournament and seventh overall. The team made history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals, eventually finishing fourth.
Other African nations are also vying for qualification. The Pharaohs of Egypt, led by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, appear well-positioned to qualify from Group A, where they lead Burkina Faso by five points.
Tunisia holds a four-point advantage over Namibia in Group H, while Algeria leads Group G by three points over Mozambique.
South Africa maintains a strong position in Group C with a five-point lead over Rwanda and Benin, with Nigeria surprisingly struggling in fourth place with just one win from six matches.
The Ivory Coast and Gabon are locked in a tight battle in Group F, with just one point separating them ahead of their crucial matchup in the 8th round.
According to the qualification format, the top team from each of the nine groups will qualify directly for the World Cup.
The four best second-placed teams will participate in an African playoff tournament in November, with the winner advancing to a FIFA intercontinental playoff for a potential 10th African spot at the expanded 48-team World Cup.
