**Morocco Faces Major Setback as Ismael Saibari Ruled Out of World Cup Quarterfinal**
Morocco’s aspirations for a historic run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been significantly impacted by the news that star forward Ismael Saibari will miss the upcoming quarterfinal match against France. The injury, a hamstring issue sustained during the Round of 16 clash against Canada, has left the team without one of its key players as they prepare for the crucial knockout stage.
Coach Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed the news during a press conference, stating, “Everyone is 100 percent fit except Saibari. This game comes too soon for him, but I hope he is not out for the rest of the competition.” The injury occurred last Saturday when Saibari was forced to leave the pitch early in Morocco's 3-0 victory over Canada. Despite his absence, there is a glimmer of hope that he may return if Morocco progresses to the semifinals.
Saibari has been a standout performer for Morocco throughout the tournament, scoring in each of the team’s three group stage matches and playing a pivotal role in their advancement to the knockout rounds. His notable contribution included converting the decisive penalty in a shoot-out victory over the Netherlands in the Round of 32. Recently transferred to Bayern Munich from PSV Eindhoven for a reported fee of 50 million euros ($57 million), Saibari’s absence is a significant blow to Morocco's attacking options.
In his place, Soufiane Rahimi stepped in during the match against Canada and scored Morocco’s third goal, showcasing the depth of the squad. However, the team will undoubtedly feel the impact of Saibari’s absence as they face a formidable opponent in France.
Morocco's quarterfinal meeting with France is particularly poignant, as it comes a year after their previous encounter in the 2022 World Cup semifinals, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat. That match marked a historic moment for Morocco and African football, as they became the first African and Arab team to reach the semifinals of the World Cup. The Atlas Lions are now motivated to avenge that loss and aim for a place in the semifinals once again.
Coach Ouahbi has emphasized the team’s determination to win, rejecting the notion that reaching the quarterfinals is a sufficient achievement. “We absolutely want to win the game tomorrow, so we will not listen to people who say it doesn’t matter if we go out now,” he stated. “Tomorrow we will try to get to the semifinals. I don’t like this sentiment that we have already done well and anything else is a bonus.”
As the team prepares for the match, Real Madrid player Brahim Diaz expressed confidence in Morocco's ability to compete against one of the tournament favorites. He acknowledged the challenge posed by France, particularly with star player Kylian Mbappe on the opposing side, but remains optimistic about their chances. “Tomorrow we are playing one of the favorites, but we have shown we can compete and that is why we are here. I have full faith and full confidence in the team,” Diaz remarked.
The quarterfinal match is set to take place in Boston, and as Morocco gears up for this pivotal encounter, the absence of Saibari will be felt both on and off the pitch. The team and its supporters will be hoping for a strong performance that could propel them into the semifinals, with the possibility of Saibari making a return should they advance. The stakes are high, and the Atlas Lions are ready to face the challenge head-on.