Morocco have overtaken Nigeria as the highest-scoring African nation in World Cup history and set a new African record for most victories at the tournament, after defeating Haiti 4-2 in a thrilling Group C match in Atlanta to book their place in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup.
The four goals against Haiti took Morocco’s overall World Cup tally to 26, moving them clear of Nigeria’s 23, while the victory was also the Atlas Lions’ seventh at the tournament, surpassing the Super Eagles’ previous African record of six wins.
Morocco finished second in Group C with seven points, level with group leaders Brazil but behind on goal difference, and will travel to Monterrey for their Round of 32 clash on June 29.
The result in Atlanta was one of the most entertaining of the tournament so far. Haiti took a shock lead through Lenny Joseph’s deflected effort in the 10th minute before Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi levelled in the 39th. Wilson Isidor then restored Haiti’s lead with a stunning long-range strike before Ismael Saibari equalised in first-half stoppage time. Substitute Soufiane Rahimi gave Morocco the lead on 78 minutes and then set up fellow substitute Gessime Yassine to seal the win in the 89th.
Morocco had already made history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals, and the Atlas Lions have continued adding milestones to their growing legacy at the tournament.
The win over Haiti was also the first time Morocco had scored four goals in a single World Cup match and made them the first Arab nation to qualify for the knockout rounds of the expanded 2026 tournament.
South Africa are the only other African side to have already confirmed their place in the Round of 32, with Bafana Bafana reaching the knockout rounds for the first time in their history after a 1-0 win over South Korea. Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Algeria and Cape Verde are all still fighting for qualification as the group stage enters its final round of matches.
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