Morocco have suffered a massive setback on the eve of their highly anticipated World Cup quarter-final showdown against France. Midfield talisman Ismael Saibari has been ruled out of the blockbuster fixture after failing to recover from a thigh injury, severely denting the African nation’s hopes of replicating their historic tournament run.
The Atlas Lions are scheduled to face the reigning powerhouse at the Boston Stadium tonight at 02:00. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahabi confirmed the devastating news, stating that the high-stakes encounter has come too soon for the dynamic playmaker.
“Everyone is fit and ready for the match except for Ismael Saibari,” Ouahabi told reporters. “This fixture simply arrived too quickly for his recovery process. However, we remain optimistic about welcoming him back into the squad for the remainder of the tournament should we progress.”
The central midfielder, who recently completed a high-profile transfer to German giants Bayern Munich, has been in sublime form throughout the competition. Saibari established himself as the linchpin of the Moroccan side by scoring in all three group-stage fixtures. He further cemented his status as a national hero in the round of 32, calmly slotting home the winning penalty in a dramatic shootout victory against the Netherlands.
The injury occurred during the round of 16 tie against Canada, where Morocco secured a commanding 3-0 victory. Saibari was forced off early in the match due to thigh discomfort, missing out on the late celebrations where substitute striker Soufiane Rahimi netted the final goal.
Ouahabi remained tight-lipped regarding who would replace the influential midfielder in the starting line-up, but hinted at a tactical surprise to destabilise the French side. “I have a tactical surprise prepared for our opponents,” the manager teased, refusing to reveal his structural layout.
Beyond a spot in the semi-finals, this encounter offers Morocco a chance at redemption. The North African side suffered a heartbreaking 2-0 defeat to France in the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Despite the historical subtext, Ouahabi insisted his squad is looking forward rather than backward.
“France are undoubtedly the favourites,” the coach acknowledged. “But we will give everything on the pitch to secure a victory. Our ultimate objective is to win the World Cup. We are approaching this match with a winning mentality, and we refuse to settle for simply reaching this stage.”