World Cup 2026: Morocco’s Ismael Saibari Equals Asamoah Gyan’s African Record

Morocco midfielder Ismael Saibari has matched a long-standing African World Cup record after scoring his third goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup during his country’s 4-2 victory over Haiti on Wednesday night.

The 25-year-old found the net at Atlanta Stadium as the Atlas Lions secured qualification for the Round of 32 and became the first African nation to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.

With his latest strike, Saibari became the first African player since Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan in 2010 to score three goals in a single FIFA World Cup campaign.

The PSV Eindhoven star has enjoyed an impressive tournament, having previously scored against Scotland and Brazil before adding another goal against Haiti.

His consistency in front of goal has made him one of Africa’s standout performers at the competition and a key figure in Morocco’s successful group-stage campaign.

According to football statistics platform OptaJoe, Saibari’s goal against Haiti also earned him another historic achievement.

The midfielder became the first African player to score in each of his nation’s three group-stage matches at a FIFA World Cup.

The feat highlights his importance to Morocco’s attacking play and further underlines the influence he has had on the team’s performances in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Saibari’s contributions helped Morocco finish second in Group C with seven points from three matches.

The Atlas Lions ended the group stage level on points with Brazil but finished behind the South Americans, who secured top spot after defeating Scotland 3-0 in their final group match.

Morocco’s qualification marks another significant milestone for African football at the tournament, with the North Africans carrying the continent’s hopes into the knockout rounds.

Having already etched his name into African World Cup history, Saibari will now be aiming to surpass Gyan’s record and help Morocco achieve another memorable run on the global stage.

The midfielder’s form has generated excitement among Moroccan supporters, who will be hoping he can continue his scoring streak as the Atlas Lions prepare for the challenges of the Round of 32.

With confidence high and momentum building, Saibari remains one of Morocco’s most important players heading into the knockout phase of the competition.