Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi has played down the Amrabat Morocco row, insisting there is no personal dispute with Sofyan Amrabat after the midfielder made himself unavailable for international selection. Amrabat made his decision to not represent Morocco under Ouahbi in a statement earlier this month, and although he has not retired from international football, he made that move as well.
The move follows Morocco’s preparations for next week to kick off their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign. Ouahbi responded to the situation following his announcement of his first team for Morocco’s quarter-final at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The coach says that the issue is only about Amrabat’s playing time and not any rift between the two. He was a vital player in former Moroccan coach Walid Regragui’s team as they became the first Moroccans to reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2022.
At the 2026 edition however, he only played one of Morocco’s six games before his campaign was brought to a close in the quarter-finals by France. Ouahbi credited Amrabat’s part in the national team and stated that the player is due the recognition for his part in Morocco’s recent improvement. The coach, however, also explained that past performances would not necessarily result in selection if he was hired. Players will be evaluated based on current form and merit, and that it’s open to those who are capable of earning their spot, he said.
The latest development doesn’t mean Amrabat is taking his bows, it just means his international future is up in the air. The experienced midfielder will not be available for Morocco to start their qualifying campaign. The Atlas Lions face Gabon on September 25 in their first Group A match, before heading to Bloemfontein four days later to play Lesotho in a neutral match in South Africa.
