Morocco will have to do without one of its key attacking players for the quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup against France. The Atlas Lions will face the Blues this Thursday night without Ismaël Saibari, who is sidelined due to an injury that won’t allow him to return to the pitch in time.
This absence is a significant blow for the Moroccan team, which was counting heavily on the midfielder’s contributions since the start of the tournament. Saibari quickly established himself as a player capable of making a difference with his technical quality, ability to create chances, and impact in attacking phases.
Morocco’s coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, confirmed the bad news at the press conference before this highly anticipated match. The Moroccan coach explained that his player is not yet fit enough to participate in this crucial encounter against the 2018 world champions.
“He’s not ready today, it’s too soon… I hope he’ll be available for the next match,” said Mohamed Ouahbi to the media.
Injured during the round of 16 match against Canada, Ismaël Saibari left his teammates with a physical discomfort that immediately raised concerns within the Moroccan staff. Despite treatment and various attempts to speed up his return, the player did not receive medical clearance to resume competition.
His absence comes at a particularly crucial moment for Morocco. After progressing through the tournament with ambition, the Atlas Lions now face a major challenge against a French team considered one of the tournament favorites.
Since the start of the World Cup, Saibari had provided an additional option in Morocco’s attacking line. His mobility between the lines, intelligent movement, and ability to unsettle opposing defenses had given Morocco an extra weapon in key moments.
His absence will force Mohamed Ouahbi to rethink his tactical plans for this quarter-final clash. The coach will need to find a new setup that can compensate for the loss of such an influential player while maintaining the balance that has brought Morocco to this stage of the competition.
🇲🇦🗣️ Mohamed Ouahbi :
“Everyone is available, except Ismael Saibari. This match comes a bit too soon for him. But I hope he won’t be ruled out for the rest of the tournament.” pic.twitter.com/H2hjXSh7cd
— Le360 (@Le360fr) July 8, 2026
Despite this setback, the Moroccan squad remains focused on their goal. The Atlas Lions want to continue writing their story in this 2026 World Cup and aim for a historic qualification for the semi-finals.
Against a French team filled with experienced players and numerous international stars, Morocco will need to rely on its collective strength, defensive organization, and the effectiveness of its other key players to pull off an upset.
If Ismaël Saibari can’t help his teammates in this match, the Moroccan staff still hopes to count on him for the rest of the tournament if they qualify. In the meantime, the Atlas Lions will have to rise to this new challenge without one of their main attacking assets.
