​Morocco will confront France in Thursday’s World Cup quarterfinal, but the showdown comes without their leading goalscorer Ismael Saibari. Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed on Thursday that the Bayern Munich winger will not be part of the squad for the rematch of the 2022 World Cup semifinal. Saibari picked up a hamstring injury early in Morocco’s Round of 16 victory over Canada, having just 22 minutes on the pitch before he was replaced by eventual scorer Soufiane Rahimi.
There had been optimism that Saibari might be fit enough to feature in the clash with France at Gillette Stadium, yet his hamstring problem and the quick turnaround between matches created too much risk for him to push through the pain. The implication for Morocco is clear: if they can defeat France, Saibari could potentially return for the semifinal or final, depending on how his recovery progresses.
An MRI conducted on Monday after the team’s arrival in Boston suggested that the strain is not severe enough to sideline him for the entire tournament. Ouahbi provided an update at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday, stating, “Everyone’s available, except Saibari, with the match coming too early for him, although he’s not out for the rest of the tournament, I hope.” Saibari has been Morocoo’s standout attacker in this World Cup, leading the team with three goals, and his absence will be keenly felt against the favorites, France.
This development has drawn attention to how Morocco will adapt offensively without their top scorer as they prepare for one of the tournament’s marquee matchups. The team has shown resilience throughout the tournament, leveraging a blend of youth and experience to navigate tough fixtures, and they will need to summon that same level of cohesion if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps’ lineup and advance to the semifinals.
The news about Saibari’s status also raises questions about the depth of Morocco’s attacking options and how head coach Ouahbi plans to stagger players returning from injury, should the team advance deeper into the tournament. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see whether Rahimi, Saibari’s substitute on the field during the Round of 16, is deployed in a more prominent role against France, or if the coach opts for an alternative structure to maximize Morocco’s chances without their top scorer.
In sum, while Morocco faces France without Ismael Saibari, the disease of the moment is not a derailment but a test of the squad’s breadth and tactical adaptability. If they can marshal the necessary adjustments and still deliver a strong performance, Morocco could still carve out a memorable run in this World Cup. The situation leaves fans hopeful that Saibari’s stint on the sidelines may be short-lived, giving him a chance to rejoin his teammates for the potential semifinal or final, should the team persevere past Les Bleus.