Morocco’s forward Ismael Saibari will miss the crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-final against France due to a hamstring injury sustained during the round of 16 match against Canada. Coach Mohammed Ouabhi confirmed Saibari’s absence, expressing hope for his return if Morocco advances to the semi-finals.
Saibari, a key player for Morocco, has been instrumental in the tournament, scoring in all three group stage games and playing a pivotal role in the round of 32 shootout victory against the Netherlands. His absence will likely lead Morocco to adopt a more defensive strategy against France, the 2022 World Cup runners-up.
In a surprising move, FIFA has appointed an all-Argentine officiating crew for the France-Morocco clash, a first in the 2026 tournament. Despite this, Coach Ouabhi downplayed the impact of the officials, emphasizing the need for experienced referees in crucial matches and expressing confidence in their abilities.
France and Morocco have a history of six encounters, with France holding the upper hand with four wins. The teams met in the 2022 World Cup semi-final, where Morocco suffered a 2-0 defeat, marking their first exit at the semi-final stage in FIFA World Cup history.
