2026 World Cup: Ismael Saibari, headache for Mohamed Ouahbi

Saibari still uncertain

22 minutes is the amount of playing time the 24-year-old forward spent on the field in the round of 16 against Canada. Ismael Saibari then came off complaining of his hamstring, causing great concern in the Moroccan ranks.

Since then, Morocco's top scorer in this World Cup (3 goals) has been engaged in a race against time to recover in order to be fit for Thursday's quarterfinal, which has a feeling of revenge against Les Bleus, the Atlas Lions' conquerors four years ago in Qatar. The wind seems to be turning in favor of Ismael Saibari, as the latest MRI scan undergone by the Moroccan striker indicates only a minor muscle strain, according to Al Mountakhab.

An injury that, at first glance, shouldn't keep him off the field for several weeks. Nevertheless, Saibari has not yet regained his full physical potential and continues to follow a specific rehab program. Mohamed Ouahbi's staff will wait until the final training session scheduled for Wednesday to decide if Saibari will be able to play against the French team.

Soufiane Rahimi as a starter?

However, two days before this clash, uncertainty around Ismael Saibari is increasing and even if the former PSV Eindhoven striker is able to play against Les Bleus, it's hard to imagine him starting as we write these lines. In that case, we're all thinking of the same man to replace him up front for the Atlas Lions: Soufiane Rahimi.

Since the beginning of the World Cup, the Al Ain forward has always been Mohamed Ouahbi's second option up front. Very conservative, at least in terms of the tournament's dynamics with a starting eleven that has rarely changed, the Atlas Lions coach would logically start Rahimi if Ismael Saibari were unable to last 90 minutes.

And Soufiane Rahimi has delivered so far with his 2 goals, including one when replacing Saibari against Canada, and one assist in 5 matches. He is ahead of Ayoub El Kaabi, who has played only one match (vs Haiti, 3-0) since the start of the competition. As for the rest, Morocco's tactical structure shouldn't change, especially if Chadi Riad returns to his position in central defense.

The probable lineup for Morocco against France: Bounou – Mazraoui, Riad/Halhal, Diop, Hakimi – Bouaddi, El Aynaoui – El Khannouss, Ounahi, Diaz – Saibari/Rahimi