Ismael Saibari's injury casts doubt over Morocco’s World Cup Quarter-Final push
- Last updated: July 5, 2026 | 23:24
Morocco’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign has been hit by a major concern after key midfielder Ismael Saibari suffered an early injury during Saturday’s quarter-final clash against Canada.
Saibari, who has been one of Morocco’s standout performers in the tournament with three goals, was forced off just 22 minutes into the match after pulling up sharply during an attacking move. He immediately signalled to the bench for a substitution and left the pitch visibly in discomfort, raising alarm within the Moroccan camp.
The incident occurred during an attacking sequence that was later ruled offside. Following on-field medical attention, Morocco’s coaching staff opted to withdraw him as a precaution and brought on Soufiane Rahimi to avoid aggravating what appeared to be a muscular problem.
Initial assessments suggest Saibari may have sustained a hamstring strain in the back of his right thigh, though the full extent of the injury will only be confirmed after medical scans scheduled in the coming hours.
Despite his early exit, Morocco went on to secure a comfortable 3-0 win over Canada, keeping their momentum intact as they advanced deeper into the tournament.
Saibari’s injury is a significant setback for the Atlas Lions, who are aiming to replicate or surpass their historic World Cup run. The midfielder has been central to their attacking rhythm, scoring against Brazil, Scotland and Haiti during the group stage.
The 22-year-old recently completed a high-profile move to Bayern Munich from the Bundesliga in a deal worth around $63 million (€55 million), with a long-term contract running until 2031.
However, concerns over his fitness history may now resurface. Earlier this year, Saibari missed around a month of action while playing for PSV Eindhoven due to a muscle injury, and he has previously experienced similar setbacks during his career.
Despite those issues, he has also overcome significant early-life challenges, including a congenital foot condition that required treatment in childhood and delayed his ability to walk normally until the age of two. That condition is not connected to his current injury.
For now, Morocco will await further medical updates as they assess whether one of their most influential players will be available for the remainder of their World Cup 2026 campaign, including their push for a place in the semi-finals of FIFA World Cup 2026.