Sofyan Amrabat's Bold Decision on National Team Participation

In a significant announcement made on the evening of September 8, 2026, Moroccan international footballer Sofyan Amrabat declared that he would be suspending his participation in the national team. This decision stems from his dissatisfaction with the current head coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, leading the Lions of the Atlas. Amrabat emphasized that this suspension does not equate to retirement from international football nor does it close the door for a potential return in the future.

Amrabat expressed his sentiments through an Instagram post where he described representing Morocco as the greatest honor of his career, highlighting his dedication and pride in wearing the national jersey. He articulated that making this decision was extremely challenging, stating, "I do not feel capable of continuing to represent the national team under the current coaching leadership. Thus, I will not make myself available for selection as long as he remains in charge." This statement underscores the underlying tensions between Amrabat and Ouahbi, tensions that have been evident since Morocco's participation in the 2026 World Cup.

During the World Cup, Ouahbi selected Amrabat to start only once, against Haiti, instead opting for Neil El Aynaoui and Ayyoub Bouaddi in midfield. Over the course of the tournament, Amrabat logged just 145 minutes of play, coming off the bench in matches against Canada and France while missing other crucial games. Following Morocco's elimination at the hands of France in the quarter-finals, Amrabat's brother, Mohamed, revealed on FunX FM, a Dutch radio station, that Sofyan felt deeply disappointed with his limited playing time and had grown weary of the current coach.

In response, Ouahbi refuted any claims of a rift with Amrabat, asserting that the player had not caused any disruptions within the team and had accepted the coaching decisions with professionalism. The ongoing situation highlights the complexities of team dynamics and the impact coaching choices can have on player morale and performance.

As reported by yabiladi.com.