World Cup 2026: Morocco star Ismael Saibari becomes first African player to score in three consecutive games

Morocco internationalIsmael Saibari has written his name into FIFA World Cup history after becoming the first African player ever to score in all three group-stage matches of a single tournament.

Saibari, who is set to join Bayern Munich reached the landmark during Morocco’s thrilling 2026 World Cup clash against Haiti, scoring a crucial equaliser to make it 2–2 at half-time and keep the Atlas Lions firmly in control of their qualification destiny.

Achraf Hakimi once again played a decisive role in the build-up, surging down the right flank before delivering a precise low cross into the penalty area. Saibari arrived at the perfect moment and calmly guided the ball into the net with a composed side-foot finish.

The goal not only highlighted Morocco’s attacking chemistry but also confirmed Saibari’s exceptional consistency throughout the group stage, where he has emerged as one of the standout midfield performers of the tournament.

His scoring record across all three group matches places him in a unique category in World Cup history, underlining both his attacking intelligence and his ability to arrive in decisive moments from midfield.

Morocco were pushed hard by a spirited Haitian side, who took advantage of early defensive lapses to make the contest highly competitive. However, the Atlas Lions gradually regained control through their experience, structure, and individual quality in key areas.

Saibari’s equaliser came at a crucial moment, swinging momentum back in Morocco’s favour after a difficult spell in which Haiti had threatened to take full control of the match.

The Moroccan midfielder has become a key figure in the team’s system, offering energy, creativity, and a direct goal threat from midfield — a combination that has proven vital in Morocco’s strong tournament run.

His historic achievement reflects the broader rise of Moroccan football on the global stage. Since their remarkable semi-final run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco have continued to develop a competitive squad capable of challenging top international opposition.

The current tournament has further reinforced that progress, with multiple players stepping up in decisive moments and delivering consistent performances under pressure.

Saibari’s record also highlights the importance of midfield contributions in modern international football, where goals are increasingly coming from deeper positions rather than traditional forwards alone.

As Morocco progress into the knockout stage, the midfielder’s form will be crucial to their ambitions of making another deep run in the competition.

With confidence high and momentum building, Saibari’s historic achievement has added another chapter to Morocco’s growing legacy on the world stage — and set the tone for what could still be a memorable campaign.