Morocco will take on France in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals in Boston on Thursday without star forward Ismael Saibari, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
The Bayern Munich striker, who has scored three goals in five matches for the Atlas Lions at this year's tournament, sustained the injury during Morocco's 3-0 Round of 16 victory over co-hosts Canada in Houston last Saturday. Azzedine Ounahi scored twice, while Souffiane Rahimi added the third.
"He's not ready today. It's too early. I hope Isma can be available for the next game," Morocco head coach Mohammed Ouahbi said on Thursday.
Ouahbi added that Saibari would not even be fit enough to make the bench for the crucial clash against France.
Despite the setback, Morocco has enjoyed an impressive campaign. Saibari, who scored 15 goals in 27 Eredivisie appearances for PSV Eindhoven last season before joining Bayern Munich, has been one of the team's standout performers.
Ouahbi acknowledged the threat posed by France, saying the match revives memories of Morocco's 2-0 semi-final defeat to Les Bleus at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
France coach Didier Deschamps, whose contract expires after this tournament, is aiming to guide his side to another World Cup title. Since taking charge, he has led France to the 2018 World Cup crown in Russia, the 2022 final in Qatar, where they lost to Argentina on penalties, and now another deep run in North America.
Morocco, meanwhile, hopes to build on the momentum of its historic 2022 campaign under Walid Regragui, when it became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. However, overcoming two-time world champions France in Boston will be a formidable challenge.
Saibari suffered the injury just 22 minutes into the win over Canada and has not recovered in time for the quarter-final.