Sofyan Amrabat makes himself unavailable to Morocco while Mohamed Ouahbi remains coach

Sofyan Amrabat has said he will no longer represent Morocco while Mohamed Ouahbi is in charge of the national team, although the 30-year-old midfielder stressed that he has not retired from international football.

Amrabat, who was previously one of the key figures in the Atlas Lions squad, announced his decision in a message on social media. He recalled the importance of playing for Morocco before explaining why he had chosen to step away.

“Representing Morocco has been the greatest honour of my career.”

The former Manchester United player then made clear that his decision was directly linked to Ouahbi’s management of the team.

“I do not feel able to continue representing the national team under the current manager.”

Amrabat also insisted that the door remained open to a return if circumstances change.

“I am therefore making myself unavailable for the national team as long as he remains in the job. I am not closing the door on returning to Morocco.”

The announcement follows a deterioration in the relationship between Amrabat and the Morocco set-up that had been developing since the World Cup. His status changed significantly after Ouahbi took over and Ayyoub Bouaddi became increasingly influential in midfield, a shift Amrabat is understood to have found difficult.

Under Walid Regragui, Amrabat had been central to Morocco’s historic run at the 2022 World Cup. His physical presence, ability to win the ball and work in front of the defence were important elements of the team that reached the semi-finals.

Ouahbi has since moved towards a different style, with greater emphasis on technical quality, movement and combination play in tight areas. Bouaddi quickly established himself alongside Neil El Aynaoui, while Amrabat started only one match at the 2026 World Cup.

That appearance came against Haiti, with Morocco already assured of a place in the last 32. Amrabat was an unused substitute against Brazil, Scotland and the Netherlands, and played only the closing stages of matches against Canada and France.

His 78th international appearance, against France in the World Cup last-16, could therefore prove to be his final match for Morocco. There is no certainty that he will return to the national team, even if Ouahbi’s tenure develops differently over the coming years.

Amrabat’s older brother Nordin, who won 64 caps for Morocco, had already suggested after the tournament that the midfielder was deeply unhappy with the way he had been treated. He described Amrabat as being “disgusted” with the manager.

Initial reaction on social media has appeared to favour Ouahbi’s sporting decisions. Many supporters continue to hold Amrabat in high regard because of what he has contributed to Morocco, particularly his outstanding performances during the 2022 World Cup. However, relatively few appear to agree with his decision to make himself unavailable.

A significant number of fans also believe Ouahbi was entitled to change the team’s midfield hierarchy.

It remains unclear what happened behind the scenes during the World Cup, or whether other issues contributed to the breakdown. Publicly, however, Amrabat’s decision appears to reflect the frustration of a former senior player who has struggled to accept losing his established role.