Morocco suffer injury blow as Ismael Saibari leaves pitch with suspected hamstring injury vs Canada in World Cup 2026 Last 16

Morocco suffered an early setback in their FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout clash against Canada as key attacker Ismael Saibari left the pitch due to a suspected hamstring injury.

Early Blow for the Atlas Lions

The incident occurred around the 22nd minute with the score tied at 0-0. Saibari went down after sustaining the injury and received treatment on the field before being forced off. He was replaced by Soufiane Rahimi.

This is a significant concern for Morocco, who entered the Round of 16 as one of the strong contenders. Saibari has been one of the standout performers for the Atlas Lions in the tournament, contributing crucial goals and energy in attack.

Match Update (Ongoing): The game remains live in Houston as both teams battle for a place in the quarterfinals. Canada have started aggressively, but Morocco continue to push forward despite the early substitution.

Who is Ismael Saibari?

• Rising star for Morocco and a key figure in their attacking lineup.
• Known for his pace, clinical finishing, and work rate.
• Played a hero’s role in the previous round, including scoring the decisive penalty against the Netherlands to send Morocco through.

A hamstring injury can vary in severity — from a minor strain to a more serious tear that could sideline a player for weeks. At this stage, no official update on the extent of the injury has been released by the Moroccan camp.

Impact on Morocco’s World Cup Campaign

Morocco have shown resilience throughout the tournament. However, losing a player of Saibari’s quality early in a high-stakes knockout match tests their squad depth. Coach will now rely on replacements like Rahimi and other creative outlets such as Brahim Diaz and Bilal El Khannouss to maintain attacking threat against a motivated Canadian side playing in front of a passionate home crowd.

Fans are hoping for a quick recovery and positive news on Saibari’s fitness as the match progresses.