World Cup 2026: Morocco suffer major blow as Ismaël Saibari ruled out of France quarter-final clash

Morocco have suffered a major setback ahead of their highly anticipated World Cup quarter-final showdown against France, with key forward Ismaël Saibari ruled out of the encounter due to injury.

The Bayern Munich attacker has been one of the standout performers for the Atlas Lions during their impressive tournament campaign, finding the back of the net in each of their opening four matches.

Saibari scored against Brazil, Haiti, Scotland and the Netherlands, establishing himself as a crucial figure in Morocco’s attacking setup and a constant threat to opposition defences.

His absence represents a significant setback for head coach Walid Regragui as Morocco prepare to face reigning world champions France in a high-profile knockout clash.

The Atlas Lions, who have captured global attention with their strong performances, will now have to find a way to overcome the loss of one of their most influential attacking players as they chase a historic place in the semi-finals.

Morocco will take on France at the Boston Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

The match is expected to be a fiercely contested battle between two nations with recent World Cup history, as Morocco look to continue their remarkable run despite the setback of Saibari’s injury.