Morocco are facing a nervous wait over the fitness of forward Ismael Saibari ahead of their 2026 World Cup quarter-final against France after the attacker underwent further medical checks following an injury in the previous round.
Saibari was forced off after just 22 minutes during Morocco’s 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada in the round of 16, raising concerns over his availability for Thursday’s last-eight meeting with the former world champions.
The Bayern Munich player is scheduled to undergo an MRI scan in Boston on Monday, July 6, with the results expected to provide a clearer picture of the seriousness of the injury.
Early indications suggest the problem may not be as severe as initially feared, giving Morocco’s technical team some hope as they prepare for one of the biggest matches in the country’s football history.
The Atlas Lions will face France on Thursday, July 9 at 20:00 GMT, with a place in the World Cup semi-finals at stake.
Saibari has played a key role in Morocco’s impressive campaign in North America, scoring three goals during the tournament and emerging as one of head coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s most influential attacking players.
His potential absence would represent a significant blow for a Morocco side that has already produced historic performances by defeating the Netherlands and Canada in the knockout stages.
The 25-year-old forward’s pace, movement and ability in front of goal have been central to Morocco’s attacking threat, and his availability could influence Ouahbi’s plans against France.
Morocco advanced to the quarter-finals after a convincing display against Canada, with Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice before substitute Soufiane Rahimi completed the victory.
However, the triumph came with a concern after Saibari left the field early, leaving the coaching staff to monitor his condition closely.
The Atlas Lions are now hoping the latest medical assessment will provide positive news and allow Saibari to play a part in their attempt to reach the semi-finals for the second consecutive World Cup.
France, meanwhile, booked their place in the last eight after a narrow 1-0 win over Paraguay, setting up a highly anticipated meeting between two teams with ambitions of lifting the trophy.
For Morocco, the next few days will be dominated by one question: whether Saibari will recover in time to face Les Bleus.
