Saibari Out for France Clash?

Morocco's qualification for the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals was overshadowed by a significant setback. Star player Ismael Saibari was forced off just 22 minutes into Saturday's match against Canada after sustaining an injury during an attacking play, immediately signaling for a substitution.

The attacking midfielder, who is the leading scorer for the "Atlas Lions" in this World Cup with three goals, was unable to continue and left the field visibly in pain. This raises serious questions about his participation for the remainder of the tournament.

Initial reports suggest Saibari suffered a muscle injury in the back of his right thigh, consistent with a hamstring strain. The injury occurred during an attacking combination that was subsequently disallowed for offside.

After receiving medical attention on the pitch, Morocco's coaching staff opted to replace him with teammate Rahimi as a precautionary measure to prevent further damage.

Morocco is set to face France on July 9th (Thursday) at 11:00 PM Bulgarian time in a battle for a spot in the semifinals. This match, along with all 104 games of the 2026 World Cup, can be watched live on bnt.sportal.bg.