As the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup heat up, the Moroccan national football team is making headlines with their recent performance in the African qualification rounds. On March 21, 2025, Morocco secured a vital 2-1 victory against Niger, marking their fourth consecutive win and solidifying their position at the top of Group I. With a total of 12 points, the Atlas Lions are now eyeing a historic third consecutive World Cup appearance.
The match against Niger was a particularly challenging one for Morocco. Under the guidance of coach Walid Regragui, the team faced significant pressure, especially after conceding an early goal to their opponents. However, demonstrating remarkable mental resilience, Morocco turned the game around. "The goal from Niger was a fitting reminder of the challenges ahead and made us refocus. In the last half hour, we were able to play strongly thanks to the positive mindset of the players," said Regragui during the post-match press conference.
Morocco's victory against Niger places them firmly at the top of Group I, with Niger and Tanzania trailing behind, each sitting on 6 points. With Zambia lagging with only 3 points, the race for qualification is on, and every match is crucial. This is particularly true as the team prepares for their next game against Tanzania, scheduled for March 25, 2025, at the Stade Municipal in Oujda.
In particular, Morocco will have to navigate this upcoming match without their star player, Achraf Hakimi, who is sidelined due to suspension from accruing three yellow cards. His absence is a significant blow to the team, but they are looking to Youssef Belammari from Raja to step up in Hakimi's stead as they face the Taifa Stars.
On the other hand, Tanzania will arrive in Oujda looking to improve their standing within the group. Currently ranked third with a mixed record of two wins and two losses, Tanzania will need to up their game if they intend to pose a threat to the Lions of the Atlas. The team recently defeated Zambia 1-0, but they also suffered a 0-2 loss against Morocco in a previous meeting back in November 2023. Over the years, Tanzania has only managed to secure one win out of six encounters against Morocco, with the last match ending in a 3-0 defeat for them at the Africa Cup in January 2024.
Since their remarkable run in the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, where they became the first African team to reach the semifinals, expectations are high for Morocco. Fans and analysts alike are hopeful that the team can sustain their momentum and replicate such performance in the qualification for another World Cup.
As the Moroccan squad prepares to take on Tanzania, the implications of their performance could set the tone for the remainder of their World Cup qualifying campaign. A strong performance could all but guarantee their advancement to the next round, while dropping points could result in a fiercely competitive race to secure one of the two qualifying spots.
The global football community watches with eager anticipation, keen to see if Morocco can solidify their place not just at the top of their group, but also in the history books of African football. With the nation rallying behind their team, the stakes couldn't be higher for the Atlas Lions as they aim for a glorious return to the World Cup.
