Saibari ruled out of Morocco’s World Cup quarterfinal

Morocco will face France in the World Cup quarterfinals without Ismael Saibari, one of their top attacking players at the tournament. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi said Wednesday that Saibari’s hamstring injury has not healed in time for Thursday’s match in Boston.

Saibari was hurt during Morocco’s 3-0 win over Canada in the last 16 last Saturday. Ouahbi told reporters the rest of his squad was fully fit, but said the game against France had arrived too soon for Saibari.

The coach said he hoped the injury would not end Saibari’s tournament if Morocco advance. A semifinal return remains possible, according to Ouahbi.

Saibari has played a central role in Morocco’s run. AFP reported that he scored in all three group-stage matches and converted the decisive penalty in the shootout win over the Netherlands in the last 32.

The 25-year-old recently joined Bayern Munich from PSV Eindhoven on a five-year contract, AFP reported, with the fee put at 50 million euros ($57 million). His absence removes one of Morocco’s most productive forwards from a match against one of the tournament favorites.

Rahimi an option after Canada goal

Soufiane Rahimi replaced Saibari after the injury against Canada and scored Morocco’s third goal. Rahimi is a more traditional striker, giving Ouahbi a different attacking option if he starts or features again against France.

Morocco are trying to reach the World Cup semifinals for the second straight tournament. In 2022, the Atlas Lions became the first African or Arab team to make the last four before losing 2-0 to France.

Ouahbi rejected the idea that a quarterfinal place should already count as a satisfying finish. The coach, who replaced Walid Regragui in March, said Morocco’s aim was to beat France and reach the semifinals.

Ouahbi also said he watched the 2022 France-Morocco semifinal on television as a supporter. This time, he will lead the team from the bench in a rematch with a place in the final four at stake.

Diaz says Morocco can compete

Brahim Diaz, Morocco’s Real Madrid midfielder, said the team believes it can challenge France despite the opponent’s status. Diaz is set to face Kylian Mbappe, his club teammate, in the quarterfinal.

Diaz said Morocco had already shown it could compete at this level. With Saibari out, Morocco will have to adjust their attack while trying to match the run that made their 2022 campaign historic.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.