Morocco Faces Setback as Ismael Saibari Will Miss World Cup Quarter-final Against France

Morocco’s hopes in the World Cup took a hit with star forward Ismael Saibari sidelined due to a hamstring injury. The forward, recently signed by Bayern Munich for €50 million, will miss Thursday’s quarter-final against France after failing to recover in time.

Injury Details and Impact

Saibari was forced off after just 22 minutes during Morocco’s commanding 3-0 victory over Canada in the round of 16. Although an MRI scan in Boston showed the strain wasn’t severe, it was clear that he wouldn’t be fit enough to face Les Bleus. This absence comes as a major blow considering Saibari's influential role in Morocco's campaign.

Coach Ouahbi Addresses Squad Status

Mohamed Ouahbi, Morocco’s head coach, confirmed Saibari's unavailability at his pre-match press conference. He emphasized that only players fully fit would be selected, while expressing hope that Saibari might return later if Morocco progresses further.

"Everyone is available, except Saibari. The match comes too early for him, although he's not out for the rest of the tournament, I hope. We will only select players who are at 100%."

Team Depth to Compensate

Saibari has been Morocco’s standout player, scoring three key goals and converting the crucial penalty that knocked out the Netherlands in the round of 32. With him sidelined, Soufiane Rahimi is expected to step up as the lead striker. Coach Ouahbi expressed strong confidence in his squad’s depth, believing other players can fill the gap effectively.

"When you want to go very far in a competition, you need everybody. The players not in the starting 11 know they can make a difference when they come on. This gives us a lot of confidence."

Redemption Awaits in Boston

The match at Boston Stadium doubles as a chance for Morocco to prove themselves and seek revenge after their semi-final exit against France in the 2022 World Cup. There’s a silver lining in defense with centre-back Chadi Riad returning after missing the previous game due to injury. Still, Morocco faces a daunting task trying to contain Kylian Mbappe and break France’s six-game winning streak in this tournament.