Futsal AFCON 2026: Morocco Thrash Algeria 4-0 to Open Title Defence

There was never really any doubt about the outcome of Monday night’s North African derby in Rabat — only about how many Morocco would put past Algeria. The answer: four. The defending champions kicked off their Futsal AFCON 2026 title defence with a 4-0 rout of Algeria at the Moulay Abdellah sports hall, and on this evidence, a fourth straight continental crown looks well within reach.

Hicham Dguig’s men needed just ten minutes to stamp their authority. Younes M’Kasri broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, finishing low after a pass from Bilal Bakkali, and Youssef Jouad doubled the advantage barely two minutes later. At 2-0 by half-time, Morocco were cruising — and the second half brought more of the same.

Jouad steals the show

Jouad wasn’t done. The Union Touarga man turned in a delivery from Ismail Amazal to make it 3-0, then completed his hat-trick later in the half to seal the rout — and deservedly took home the Man of the Match award. Four goals, two halves, one statement.

Algeria, for their part, never really got going. Nordine Benamrouche’s side — making their first-ever appearance at the Futsal AFCON finals after qualifying with thumping wins over Guinea — sat deep, created little, and will need a far bigger response against Libya on Wednesday or their debut campaign could end before it begins.

What it means for Group A

Morocco sit top of Group A, level on points with Zambia, who beat Libya 3-1 earlier in the day. A win over Zambia on Wednesday night would all but seal the hosts’ place in the semi-finals — and if this was the first act of a fourth consecutive title run, nobody in Rabat is complaining.

Morocco entered the tournament as the team to beat, and this was the kind of performance that explains why. For the rules behind it all, see our breakdown of futsal positions and the latest FIFA futsal rankings.