Morocco national football team head coach Mohamed Ouahbi addressed the international retirement saga surrounding midfielder Sofyan Amrabat during a press conference, drawing a firm line regarding squad selection and player status.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, September 17, 2026, Mohamed Ouahbi defended his roster decisions after Sofyan Amrabat announced his withdrawal from the Atlas Lions squad. The fallout follows a turbulent period for the midfielder, whose playing time dropped significantly during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he started only one of Morocco’s six matches.
Mohamed Ouahbi Clarifies Sofyan Amrabat’s Status and Squad Demands
According to reports from Bladi.net and Sport Le360, Mohamed Ouahbi acknowledged Sofyan Amrabat’s historic contributions to Moroccan football. « Amrabat, c’est quelqu’un qui a beaucoup donné pour l’équipe nationale, quelqu’un de très important et qui a fait partie des grandes épopées du Maroc. Il ne faut pas lui enlever ça », stated the Atlas Lions manager.
At 30 years old, Sofyan Amrabat remains a vital figure from Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. With 78 international caps to his name, the midfielder’s reduced role under the current coaching staff triggered friction. Mohamed Ouahbi noted that the player’s frustration is understandable given the changing dynamics within the national setup. « Sa déception n’est pas facile à vivre. Ce n’est pas facile d’accepté l’arrivée de jeunes joueurs et le fait de jouer moins », explained the coach.
The Principle of Meritocracy in the Atlas Lions Squad
Responding directly to questions regarding veteran privileges, Mohamed Ouahbi outlined a strict selection philosophy based on current form rather than past achievements. « Le passé vous donne du respect, pas des privilèges. On décide qui joue en fonction de la méritocratie et de la forme du moment », declared the manager.
Mohamed Ouahbi explicitly denied any personal friction or disrespectful exchanges between himself and the player. « Il n’y a aucun conflit entre Amrabat, moi ou le staff. On n’a jamais eu de conflit ni de discussion irrespectueuse », he assured media representatives, adding that the door remains open for a future return provided sporting conditions are met. « La porte n’est jamais fermée pour personne et aucune place n’est garantie ».
Background on Sofyan Amrabat’s National Team Stance
The controversy began on September 8, 2026, when Sofyan Amrabat published a statement on social media declaring his unavailability for selection while Mohamed Ouahbi remains in charge. In his message, the player emphasized his twelve-year dedication to the national jersey but stated he no longer felt able to represent Morocco under the current technical staff.
Despite stepping away from active duty under the present management, Sofyan Amrabat clarified that he was not making a permanent international retirement and hoped to represent the country again in the future.
The Morocco national team continues its preparations under Mohamed Ouahbi ahead of upcoming international fixtures, with squad lists dictated strictly by current performance and tactical requirements.
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