1 of 5 | Forward/midfielder Ismael Saibari scored in all three of Morocco’s group stage games at the 2026 World Cup. File Photo by CJ Gunther/UPI | License Photo
Morocco will be without top scorer Ismael Saibari in Thursday’s World Cup quarterfinal match against France, coach Mohamed Ouahbi announced.
Saibari sustained a hamstring injury in the Moroccans’ 3-0 Round of 16 win over Canada. The forward/midfielder scored in each of Morocco’s group-stage games. He started all five of the Moroccans’ 2026 World Cup matches.
Saibari, 25, was replaced by Soufiane Rahimi in the 22nd minute Saturday against the Canadians.
Rahimi then scored the Moroccans’ final goal in stoppage time of the Round of 16 match. He is tied with Azzedine Ounahi as Morocco’s second-leading scorer — with two goals.
Rahimi, Samir El Mourabet, Sofyan Amrabat, Chemsdine Talbi, Ayoub El Kaabi, Amine Sbai, Gessime Yassine and Ayoube Amainouni are among the backup midfielders/forwards on Morocco’s 26-man roster.
Yassine and Rahimi are the only men in that group with scores through Morocco’s five 2026 World Cup appearances.
Talbi and Rahimi also logged one assist apiece so far at the tournament, behind team leader Brahim Diaz, who totaled four.
MOROCCO 2ND MINUTE GOAL!
Ismael Saibari wasted NO TIME on this beauty pic.twitter.com/Rwa4VvxbmD— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 19, 2026
The top-ranked French are half-goal favorites against the No. 6 Moroccans. Ouahbi’s men will face the French at 4 p.m. EDT Thursday in Foxborough, Mass.
El Kaabi and Amrabat both started in Morocco’s 4-2 win over Haiti in the group stage. Saibari, who signed with Bayern Munich earlier this month, scored a dozen times through his first 35 appearances for Morocco. His status is now in doubt for the remainder of the tournament, should the Moroccans upset the French.
The winner of the France-Morocco match will advance to face either Spain or Belgium in a World Cup semifinal Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.
FIFA World Cup: Morocco defeats Canada
Morocco players celebrate after defeating Canada 3-0 in their Round of 16 FIFA World Cup match in Houston on July 4, 2026. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
