Morocco Battles Tanzania in Crucial World Cup Qualifier

CASABLANCA, Morocco — Morocco will host Tanzania in a pivotal World Cup qualifying match on March 25, 2025, at Stade Municipal, aiming to maintain their flawless record in the 2026 FIFA qualifiers.

The Atlas Lions currently lead Group E, having collected 12 points from four matches, while Tanzania sits in third with six points, trailing by six.

Morocco extended their unbeaten streak to 11 matches following a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Niger on March 22. Despite a challenging first half, where the team hit the post, Morocco leveled the game through a goal by midfielder Azzedine Ounahi shortly after Niger took an early lead. A last-minute header from Youssef En-Nesyri secured the victory for the hosts.

“We have developed a strong team spirit, and every match is crucial for our World Cup hopes,” said Morocco head coach Walid Regragui.

In their last encounter with Tanzania, Morocco will look to continue their historical dominance, winning five of their six previous matches against the East Africans, with their last meeting resulting in a 3-1 victory in 2013.

Tanzania, meanwhile, competes with renewed energy following the cancellation of their last fixture against Congo due to FIFA’s suspension of the Congolese Football Federation. The Taifa Stars will be eager for a positive result to boost their slim chances of qualification.

“We know the challenge of playing Morocco, but we are confident,” said Tanzania’s head coach.

The Atlas Lions are expected to field a strong lineup, missing a few key players due to injury but relying on the creativity of Ounahi and the attacking prowess of En-Nesyri. The team will be bolstered by players such as Achraf Hakimi and Sofyan Amrabat, who are crucial for both defense and attack.

Tanzania, looking for an upset, has not won against Morocco in recent years and will need a stellar performance from their new squad members to change their fortunes.

Kick-off is set for 9:30 PM local time, and as the host nation, Morocco will aim to impress their fans with another emphatic display. The match will be crucial in determining the standings of Group E and the prospects for both teams in the ongoing qualifiers.