Morocco will be without influential midfielder Ismael Saibari for Thursday’s FIFA World Cup quarter-final against France after the Bayern Munich star failed to recover from a hamstring injury.
Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed on Wednesday that the 23-year-old is unavailable for the last-eight clash but expressed hope that he could return later in the tournament if the Atlas Lions progress to the semi-finals.
“Everyone is 100 per cent fit except Saibari. This game comes too soon for him, but I hope he is not out for the rest of the competition,” Ouahbi told reporters.
Saibari sustained the injury during Morocco’s 3-0 Round of 16 victory over Canada after playing a key role in the team’s impressive World Cup campaign.
The former PSV Eindhoven midfielder, who recently completed a reported €50 million move to Bayern Munich, scored in all three group-stage matches and also converted the decisive penalty in Morocco’s shootout victory over the Netherlands in the Round of 32.
Ouahbi said the medical team is optimistic about the midfielder’s recovery should Morocco secure a place in the semi-finals.
“He’s not ready, but I hope it’s not the end of the tournament for him,” the coach added.
In Saibari’s absence, Soufiane Rahimi is expected to retain his place after coming off the bench against Canada and scoring Morocco’s third goal.
The Atlas Lions will be seeking revenge against France, who defeated them 2-0 in the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a tournament in which Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to reach the last four.
Despite already matching another impressive World Cup run, Ouahbi said his side is focused on progressing further rather than settling for another commendable campaign.
“We absolutely want to win the game. We will try to reach the semi-finals. I don’t like the sentiment that we have already done well and anything else is a bonus,” he said.
Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz also backed Morocco to upset one of the tournament favourites despite Saibari’s absence.
“We are playing one of the favourites, but we have shown we can compete, and that is why we are here. I have full faith and confidence in the team,” Diaz said.
