Morocco's World Cup joy soured by Saibari injury concern

Morocco's joyous advance to the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals was dampened by a serious injury to their star midfielder, Ismael Saibari. The 25-year-old, who recently joined German giants Bayern Munich, was forced off the field in the 20th minute of the round of 16 match against Canada. Saibari clutched his right thigh in pain, signaling to the coaching staff that he could not continue. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi immediately brought on Soufiane Rahimi, who went on to score in the team's commanding 3-0 victory over Canada.

Despite the setback, Morocco showcased a convincing performance, driven by the creativity of Brahim Diaz, who provided two assists. "As of now, the severity of Saibari's injury has not been officially confirmed. Further medical examinations in the coming hours will determine if he can continue playing or must miss the rest of the World Cup," stated the Moroccan medical team.

The injury strikes at a particularly difficult time for Saibari, who recently transferred from PSV Eindhoven to Bayern Munich for a reported 50 million Euros (RM237 million). Adding to the concern, Morocco is preparing for a challenging quarter-final clash against European powerhouse France, aiming to replicate their strong 2022 semi-final performance. The official status of Saibari's injury remains unconfirmed, with further tests expected to clarify his participation in the tournament.

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As of now, the severity of Saibari's injury has not been officially confirmed. Further medical examinations in the coming hours will determine if he can continue playing or must miss the rest of the World Cup.