World Cup Quarterfinals: Morocco’s Top Scorer Ismael Saibari Out for Thursday’s Match Against France
Coach Mohamed Ouahbi of the Moroccan national team has confirmed that top scorer Ismael Saibari will miss the quarterfinal match against France on Thursday due to a hamstring injury sustained during the team’s 3-0 win over Canada in the Round of 16.
Source: cdnph.upi.com
According to Ouahbi, Saibari was replaced by Soufiane Rahimi in the 22nd minute of the match against Canada. Rahimi went on to score the Moroccans’ final goal in stoppage time, tying him with Azzedine Ounahi as Morocco’s second-leading scorer with two goals.
Backup Midfielders/Forwards Step Up to Fill the Void
With Saibari out of commission, the Moroccan team will rely on their backup midfielders and forwards to fill the void. The 26-man roster includes several players who have already made significant contributions to the team’s success, including Rahimi, Samir El Mourabet, Sofyan Amrabat, Chemsdine Talbi, Ayoub El Kaabi, Amine Sbai, Gessime Yassine, and Ayoube Amainouni.
Yassine and Rahimi are the only players in this group who have scored goals for Morocco in the 2026 World Cup. Both Talbi and Rahimi have also logged one assist apiece, behind team leader Brahim Diaz, who has a total of four assists.
France Favored to Win, but Morocco Seeks Upset
The top-ranked French team is favored to win the match, but Morocco is determined to pull off an upset. The Moroccan team has shown remarkable resilience and determination throughout the tournament, and they will be looking to continue this momentum against their French opponents.
The match between France and Morocco will take place at 4 p.m. EDT on Thursday in Foxborough, Mass. The winner will advance to face either Spain or Belgium in a World Cup semifinal on Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.
Ismael Saibari’s Injury a Blow to Morocco’s Chances?
The loss of Ismael Saibari is a significant blow to Morocco’s chances of advancing in the tournament. Saibari has been a key player for the team, scoring a dozen times in his first 35 appearances for Morocco. His absence will undoubtedly be felt, but the Moroccan team is confident in their ability to adapt and overcome this challenge.
The Moroccan team will be looking to their backup players to fill the void left by Saibari’s injury. With their determination and resilience, they may yet pull off an upset against the favored French team.
