In a crucial match played this Friday evening at the newly renovated Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Moroccan attacking midfielder Ismael Sabiri stood out by scoring a brace during Morocco’s overwhelming 5-0 victory over Niger. This historic win made the Atlas Lions the first African team to officially secure their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in North America.
Ismael Sabiri opened the scoring twice in the first half, giving his team a comfortable and commanding lead from the very first minutes. His exceptional performance not only energized the crowd of 68,500 spectators at the stadium but also confirmed his key role in this qualifying campaign dominated by Morocco. This brace marks a major highlight in Sabiri’s season, now shining under the continental spotlight.
Beyond the goals, Sabiri contributed to the overall offensive play of Morocco, perfectly orchestrated alongside teammates like Yakoub Elkaabi and Hamza Igamane, who also found the net. This early qualification underlines Morocco’s dominance in Group E of the African qualifiers, with a perfect record of 18 points out of 18 possible, ensuring their place in the global tournament even before the group stages conclude.
Sabiri’s and the Moroccan team’s performance takes place in a very favorable context, with the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium having recently been renovated to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and now proudly vibrates to a feat described as historic. With this decisive brace, Ismael Sabiri establishes himself as an indispensable player for the national team and a hopeful figure for upcoming international events, strengthening the visibility of African football on the global stage.