Published on, Sept. 2 -- September 2, 2025 12:54 AM

Morocco, captained by Ballon d'Or nominee Achraf Hakimi, could this week become the first African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

A matchday 7 win over Niger in Rabat will give the Atlas Lions an unassailable lead in Group E unless second-placed Tanzania triumph in Congo Brazzaville earlier that day.

But a Tanzanian triumph will most likely only delay the qualification of the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco. Morocco travel to Zambia for a September 8 clash in Ndola and, assuming they beat Niger, would need one point to clinch a place at the expanded 48-nation global showpiece.

The Moroccans top the table with 15 points from five matches in a mini-league reduced from six team...