Ismael Saibari Makes African World Cup History, Joins Messi and Gakpo With Goal in Every Group Game at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Ismael Saibari has written himself into African football history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, achieving a milestone that eluded every African player before him. The 25-year-old Morocco forward scored in all three of the Atlas Lions’ Group C fixtures — a feat no African footballer had ever accomplished at a single World Cup tournament.

The record-breaking goal came in first-half stoppage time during Morocco’s final group match against Haiti. It completed a remarkable personal sweep that also included a chipped opener in a 1-1 draw against Brazil and a goal after just 71 seconds in a 1-0 victory over Scotland — the latter proving the decisive margin in that fixture.

In doing so, Saibari surpassed some of the most celebrated names in African football history. Cameroon’s Roger Milla and Nigeria’s Rashidi Yekini — two of the continent’s most iconic World Cup performers — never managed a goal in each of their group-stage appearances at any single tournament. Samuel Eto’o came close, netting in two group matches for Cameroon at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, while Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan also scored in two group-stage games at the 2014 edition in Brazil, falling one short of the full sweep.

By completing that clean sheet of group-stage goals, Saibari joins a select group of players who have scored in every group game at a World Cup. His company includes Lionel Messi and Colombia’s James Rodríguez, both of whom achieved the feat at the 2014 FIFA World Cup; the Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo and Spain’s Álvaro Morata, who both scored in all three of their group matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar; and Brazil’s Vinicius, who has also reached the mark during the ongoing 2026 tournament.

Saibari operates as a false nine under Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, and his contributions have been central to the Atlas Lions securing their place in the knockout rounds on North American soil. Morocco’s progression from Group C represents another strong showing from an African nation at this tournament.

The milestone arrives at a moment of considerable momentum for Saibari, both on the international stage and in club football. The winger recently won his third consecutive Eredivisie title with PSV Eindhoven during the 2025/26 season and was named the 2025/26 Eredivisie Player of the Year — recognition of a sustained period of high-level domestic performance.

His club future is also set to change significantly. Saibari is reportedly on the verge of a €55 million transfer to Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. According to reports, he has already undergone his medical examination in the United States while on international duty with Morocco, with a five-year contract running until 2031 expected to be formally announced in early July.