فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat hosted a decisive match in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers between Morocco, known as the “Atlas Lions”, and the Republic of Congo in Group E. This match marked the conclusion of the first round of African qualifiers, where the group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup, while the runner-up may compete in a second round for a chance at the intercontinental playoff.
Match Context
Morocco, ranked 11th globally, entered the match as the leader of Group E after a perfect run in seven matches, winning six without defeat. This included a commanding 6-0 victory over Congo in June 2024 at the Agadir stadium, where Ayoub El Kaabi scored a hat-trick, and Ounahi, Chadi Riad, and Sofiane Rahimi also found the net. This win boosted Morocco’s confidence as they aim to achieve a world record of 16 consecutive international wins, surpassing the current Spain record.
Conversely, Congo, ranked 133rd worldwide, endured a difficult qualifying campaign with no wins in the group and suffered suspensions due to FIFA sanctions in February 2025 following government interference in the Congo Football Federation. The ban was lifted in May 2025. Congo secured only a single point — a 1-1 draw with Tanzania in September 2025 — and lost 3-1 to Niger in their last match before facing Morocco.
Lineups and Tactics
Moroccan coach Walid Regragui deployed a 4-3-3 formation focused on ball control and exploiting the wings for offensive chances. The expected lineup featured goalkeeper Yassine Bounou; defenders Yahia Attiat Allah, Adam Masina, Jawad El Yamiq, and Achraf Hakimi; midfielders Amir Elaunay, Yassine Trabelsi, and Ismail Saibari; and attackers Ibrahim Diaz, Youssef Benssighir, and Ayoub El Kaabi. Ounahi was absent due to a calf injury, and Mazraoui and Amrabat were doubtful due to fitness concerns, leading Regragui to test new players like Anas Bach to maintain team rhythm ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Congo, under coach Fabrizio Cesana, adopted a defensive 4-2-3-1 setup, relying on Dio Basinga as the main striker, supported by Deschan Musavu and Wilfried Nkaia on the wings. The team focused on defensive solidity and looked for attacking opportunities on counters and set-pieces but struggled with offensive cohesion.
Statistics and Predictions
Statistics showed Morocco’s dominance. In their previous meeting in June 2024, Morocco controlled 63.3% possession, registered 21 shots (11 on target) compared to Congo’s 3 shots, with Congo’s goalkeeper making five saves. Sources like Sports Mole predicted a 3-0 win for Morocco, with over 1.5 goals scored and Congo’s attack expected to struggle. Morocco has remained unbeaten at home in World Cup qualifiers since 2009, making Congo’s task highly challenging.
Match Importance
For Morocco, the match was an opportunity to reinforce their perfect record and test new players before hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (December 21, 2025 – January 18, 2026). The team also aims to break the world record for 16 consecutive international wins. For Congo, eliminated from qualification, the match represented a chance to end the campaign on a positive note despite significant challenges.
Previous Match Statistics (June 2024)
| Statistic | Morocco | Congo |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 63.3% | 36.7% |
| Shots | 21 | 3 |
| Shots on Target | 11 | 1 |
| Corners | 3 | 4 |
| Saves | 1 | 5 |
| Yellow Cards | 0 | 4 |
Key Stakeholders
| Entity | Role | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Moroccan National Team | Participant | Group leader, qualified for World Cup, pursuing record |
| Congolese National Team | Participant | Fifth place, no wins, affected by sanctions |
| Walid Regragui | Moroccan Coach | Manages team with tactical changes to test players |
| Fabrizio Cesana | Congo Coach | Adopts defensive approach against Morocco |
| FIFA/CAF | Organizer | Oversees qualifiers; lifted Congo’s sanction in May 2025 |
