FIFA World Cup 2026 warm-ups: Morocco plays first match under new coach; Algeria and Egypt record big victories

Morocco grabbed a late equalizer to draw 1-1 with Ecuador in the first match under coach Mohamed Ouahbi on Friday, while Africa’s World Cup teams recorded mixed results in the warm-up games.

Ouahbi took over from Walid Regragui this month and was sidelined for John Yeboah’s 48th-minute goal in Madrid in their first match since the controversial Africa Cup of Nations final in January.

Neil El Aynaoui headed in the equalizer in the 88th minute in a fierce battle in which Ouahbi did not tinker much with Regragui’s final setup.

North Africans Algeria and Egypt recorded convincing victories, while in Ghana alarm bells are ringing after the country was crushed in Austria.

Algeria had striker Amine Gouiri back after injury ruled him out of the Cup of Nations in Morocco and he wasted no time in recalling his abilities as Guatemala were beaten 7-0 in Genoa, Italy, scoring twice and winning a penalty that Riyad Mahrez converted.

Defender Achraf Abada’s goal before half-time was the best of the bunch as he fired a long-range thunderbolt into the net.

Egypt handed Saudi Arabia a resounding 4-0 home defeat in Jeddah, even without Mohamed Salah, but his other Premier League striker Omar Marmoush was among the scorers.

HEAVY LOSS FOR GHANA CAUSES CONCERN

However, there are concerns about Ghana, which was defeated 1-5 by Austria in Vienna. The defeat started in the 12th minute when Ghana gave away a penalty, and they trailed 0–3 before captain Jordan Ayew pulled a goal back with 13 minutes to go, after which Austria scored twice more.

It doesn’t get any easier for Ghana, which will face Germany in Stuttgart on Monday.

South Africa had to come from behind to draw 1-1 against Panama in Durban, but coach Hugo Broos was pleased with the way his team played.

“The only thing was we couldn’t put the ball in the net,” he said.

Yoel Barcenas had Panama ahead at halftime, but Oswin Appollis equalized early in the second half. The two countries, both on their way to the World Cup, meet again on Tuesday in Cape Town.

Earlier on Friday, Cape Verde lost 2-4 to Chile in their FIFA Series match in New Zealand after leading 2-1 at half-time.

Cameroon and Nigeria are two notable absentees from the African line-up at the World Cup, but still in demand as scrimmage partners for teams competing in the finals.

Australia defeated Cameroon with a late sucker punch from Jordan Bos to win 1-0 in Sydney, while Nigeria beat Iran 2-1.

Published on March 28, 2026