World Cup 2026: Motsepe watches on as Morocco edge Scotland to inch closer to R32 qualification

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe was in attendance as Morocco recorded a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Scotland in their second Group C fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underlining the Confederation of African Football’s continued support for the continent’s representatives at the tournament.

Dr Motsepe was seated alongside Morocco Football Federation President and CAF First Vice-President Fouzi Lekjaa during the encounter, highlighting the strong presence of African football leadership at one of the tournament’s key group-stage matches.

The presence of two of African football’s most influential administrators comes at a time when African nations are making significant strides on the global stage, with several teams producing impressive performances against some of the world’s traditional football powers.

On the pitch, Morocco continued their impressive World Cup campaign with a narrow but crucial victory over Steve Clarke’s Scotland side. The Atlas Lions secured all three points courtesy of an early strike from Ismael Saibari, who found the back of the net in just the second minute of the contest.

Saibari’s early effort proved decisive as Morocco held firm for the remainder of the match, showcasing the defensive resilience and tactical discipline that have become hallmarks of the North African side in recent years.

The victory boosts Morocco’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stages as they prepare for their final Group C fixture against Haiti.

Dr Motsepe’s appearance at the Scotland-Morocco clash follows his attendance at another notable World Cup encounter involving an African nation.

The CAF President was also present when DR Congo earned a commendable 1-1 draw against Portugal, a result that further demonstrated the growing competitiveness of African teams on the world stage.

The CAF President’s presence at matches involving African representatives reflects the continental body’s commitment to supporting its member associations and celebrating the achievements of African football at the highest level.

With Morocco now turning their attention to their final group-stage assignment against Haiti, the Atlas Lions will be eager to build on their victory over Scotland and strengthen their chances of progressing further in the tournament.