TANZANIA lock horns with Morocco in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Group E.

FIFA has appointed Chadian referee Mahamat Alhadi Allaoui to officiate the match, assisted by compatriots Issa Bogola and Hafiz Moussa, with Ousmane Abdelkerim serving as the fourth official. 

The high-stakes clash is set to kick off at 12:30 a.m. at Stade d'Honneur in Oujda.

Host Morocco currently lead Group E with a perfect record from four matches, while Tanzania sit in third place, trailing by six points.

Tanzania were scheduled to face Congo in their last fixture on March 17, but the match was cancelled following FIFA's suspension of the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) on February 6 due to governmental interference. 

Consequently, Congo forfeited all remaining qualifiers, leaving Taifa Stars with six points, level with second-placed Niger after three matches.

With the four best runners-up advancing to the play-off stage, the battle for second place in Group E remains wide open. A positive result against Morocco could significantly boost Tanzania’s qualification hopes.

This will be the fourth World Cup qualifier between the two sides, with the Atlas Lions winning three of the previous encounters. 

Tanzania suffered a 2-0 home defeat in their last meeting during this campaign but will look to draw inspiration from their 3-1 victory over Morocco in 2013.

The Taifa Stars will have to cope without captain Mbwana Samatta (pictured), who misses out due to injury sustained while playing for PAOK. Goalkeeper Aishi Manula and midfielder Adolf Bitegeko are also absent.

Ally Salim is set to make his third international start in goal, replacing Manula, while Novatus Miroshi is expected to fill Bitegeko’s role in midfield. 

Head coach Hemed ‘Morocco’ Suleiman is likely to maintain the same defensive lineup that secured a crucial victory against Guinea last year.

Simon Msuva, Feisal Salum, and Clement Mzize are expected to form the attacking trio, with Dennis Kibu potentially stepping in for Samatta, while Kelvin John waits for his opportunity from the bench.

On the other side, Morocco aim to strengthen their position for automatic qualification with another win. 

The Atlas Lions come into the match following a spirited 2-1 comeback victory against Niger last Friday.

However, Morocco will be without right-back Achraf Hakimi, who is suspended after accumulating two yellow cards against Tanzania and Niger. 

In response, national coach Walid Regragui has called up Raja Casablanca’s left-back Youssef Belammari as a reinforcement.