Moroccan Striker Ismail Sibari Forced Off Early With Muscle Injury Against Canada

Ismail Sibari's performance in the 2026 World Cup came to an abrupt halt when the Moroccan forward was forced to leave the pitch against Canada in the Round of 16 fixture. The player experienced muscle discomfort that prompted the national team's coaching staff to withdraw him from the match after a mere 22 minutes of action.

Coach Mohamed Wehbe responded to Sibari's departure by introducing striker Sofiane Rahimi as his replacement. The substitution marked a significant setback for Morocco's tournament campaign, as Sibari had emerged as a vital contributor to the team's success thus far.

The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has seen Sibari establish himself as Morocco's leading goal scorer. Throughout the group stage, he netted three goals—one each against Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti. His impact extended beyond the group phase as well; Sibari delivered the crucial penalty kick that secured Morocco's advancement past the Netherlands in the Round of 32, following a 1-1 stalemate through regular and extra time.

His standout tournament performance caught the attention of European clubs, and Sibari completed a transfer from PSV Eindhoven to Bayern Munich during the World Cup, shortly after the Dutch team's elimination from the competition.

Despite losing their key striker to injury, Morocco advanced through the Round of 16 by defeating Canada 3-0 in their encounter at Philadelphia Stadium in Pennsylvania. The victory secured the team's place in the quarter-finals of the tournament.