Morocco national team coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his star striker, Ismael Saibari, has not recovered from injury and will miss the match against France in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals at Boston Stadium, United States.
"He's not ready today, it's too early," Ouahbi said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano's.
Saibari sustained the injury when Morocco defeated Canada 3-0 in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup at Houston Stadium, USA.
The injury meant he only played 22 minutes on the pitch as a starter, before being replaced by Soufiane Rahimi, who contributed one goal in that match.
Ouahbi said Saibari's injury wasn't too serious, but he still wouldn't be fit to face France. The new Bayern Munich player, he said, would only be able to play again in the next match if his team beats France and advances to the semifinals.
"I hope he can play in the next match," said Ouahbi.
A win over France in the upcoming match would see Morocco equal their best ever record, having reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
At that time, Morocco was defeated by France 0-2 in the semifinals and they had to be satisfied with fourth place after being defeated by Croatia 1-2 in the third place match.
