​Morocco will have to navigate their knockout clash without Ismael Saibari when they take on France in the World Cup quarter-finals on Thursday night. The 25-year-old, who recently joined FC Bayern, was forced to withdraw with a hamstring injury during Morocco’s 3-0 victory over Canada in the round of 16 and will miss the decisive match against France, according to head coach Mohamed Ouahbi at his pre-match press conference.
“Everyone is available except Saibari. The match comes too soon for him, though I hope he isn’t out for the rest of the tournament,” Ouahbi stated. His comments confirmed Saibari’s absence and highlighted the need for the rest of the squad to rise to the occasion against France.
With Saibari unavailable, Ouahbi is banking on the depth and resilience of his squad to push Morocco further in the tournament. “When you want to go very far in a competition, you need everybody. The players who are not in the starting XI know they have the opportunity to make an impact when they come on,” he explained. His belief in the collective strength of the squad was a central theme as he outlined the path forward.
“We have our starters, but the players coming off the bench can make a real difference for us. That’s a huge strength for this group and something that gives us a lot of confidence,” Ouahbi added, emphasizing the importance of depth and readiness across the squad.
The quarter-final showdown will take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, with kickoff slated for 22:00 CEST. This venue brings together two African teams with ambitions of extending their runs in the tournament, and Morocco will be keen to harness the energy of the bench as they attempt to bridge the gap left by Saibari’s absence.
Saibari’s injury is a setback for the team, but Morocco’s tactical plan appears to be built around a strong, unified squad that can adapt to the absence of a single player. Ouahbi’s approach underscores the broader message: in a tournament at this level, every member of the squad plays a part, and the bench can be as influential as the starting XI. The team’s readiness to rotate and rely on emerging performers will be tested as they face a formidable France side in a high-stakes quarter-final.
As the World Cup journey continues, Morocco will rely on collective strength, tactical flexibility, and the capacity of their reserves to step up when needed. The absence of Saibari certainly narrows the options, but it also highlights the opportunity for other players to seize the moment and contribute to a potential historic run. The France-Morocco clash promises to be a compelling encounter, with both teams eager to advance to the semi-finals and extend their pursuit of glory on football’s biggest stage.