World Cup 2026 qualifying: Morocco win 6-0, Cameroon and Ivory Coast draw

Ayoub El Kaabi scored a hat-trick as Morocco thrashed Congo-Brazzaville 6-0 in African qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, while Cameroon and Ivory Coast both had to settle for draws away from home.

Azzedine Ounahi, Crystal Palace-bound defender Chadi Riad and Soufiane Rahimi were also on the scoresheet for Morocco in an away game switched to Agadir.

Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo gave Cameroon an early lead away against Angola, but Gelson Dala’s cross nine minutes after the break was deflected past goalkeeper Andre Onana by Indomitable Lions defender Michael Ngadeu.

Elsewhere, Ivory Coast’s perfect start came to an end as the continental champions were held to a goalless draw away to Kenya and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang helped Gabon come from behind to beat The Gambia.

Comoros, Rwanda and Sudan all went top of their groups while there were also triumphs for Cape Verde, South Africa and Tanzania among 13 matches on Tuesday.

The nine group winners at the end of the 10-match campaign are all assured of a place at the 2026 World Cup, while a 10th African team could qualify via an intercontinental play-off.

African qualifiers for the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada will resume in March 2025, with preliminaries for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled in September, October and November.