Morocco's Riad and Saibari face decisive training sessions in Boston ahead of World Cup quarter-final
via Le Matin2 min read
Following their 1-0 victory against Scotland on June 19, the Atlas Lions are preparing to play in Foxborough, USA, for the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals. The Moroccan delegation arrived in Boston on Sunday afternoon to begin preparations for their next match. Two training sessions on Monday and Tuesday are crucial for two players, Ismael Saibari and Chadi Riad, who sustained injuries last week. Saibari, a key forward, was replaced after 20 minutes against Canada due to thigh muscle pain, while central defender Riad has been recovering from an injury sustained against the Netherlands. National coach Mohamed Ouahbi has stated that only "100% ready players" will be considered for selection. The progress of Saibari and Riad will be closely monitored during these collective training sessions, as their ability to keep pace with teammates will determine Ouahbi's final decision for the starting eleven. Ouahbi emphasized that the team's objective remains the same, with a priority on being fresh and ready, regardless of whether they face France or Paraguay. Supporters are hopeful for the full recovery of Saibari and Riad, as the Atlas Lions will need all available players for Thursday's match.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Must ReadAchraf Hakimi stated that Kylian Mbappé is "not my friend on the field" in response to Moroccan comedian Mimo Lazrak's Instagram video. Lazrak humorously urged Hakimi to set aside his friendship with Mbappé during their upcoming match, suggesting he "tackle him, eliminate him, then, after the match, invite him for a drink." Hakimi's comment, which garnered significant likes, highlights the temporary suspension of their well-known friendship during competitive play. Hakimi and Mbappé, who became close during their time at Paris Saint-Germain, frequently name each other as their best friend in football. They are set to face each other again in a World Cup knockout match, following their previous encounter in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, where France defeated Morocco 2-0. That match ended the Atlas Lions' historic run as the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final. This upcoming quarter-final is seen by many as an opportunity for a "sporting revenge." Morocco enters the match with momentum after a 3-0 victory over Canada in the round of 16, while France secured their spot by defeating Paraguay with a penalty from Kylian Mbappé in a more contested game. The quarter-final is scheduled for Thursday, July 9, at 9:00 PM Moroccan time, at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, United States. Both players will put their friendship aside with the sole aim of qualifying their respective teams for the 2026 World Cup semi-finals.
inwi and TOD have formed a strategic partnership to improve Moroccan consumers' access to premium sports and entertainment content. This collaboration integrates TOD's offerings directly into inwi's various packages, simplifying the subscription process and providing payment solutions for prepaid, postpaid, and Home customers. The initiative addresses the growing demand for online sports content, driven by increased mobile broadband and fiber optic penetration, and a rising interest in international competitions among Moroccans. Subscribers will gain access to several TOD offers, with some integrated for free depending on their plans. Payments can be made directly via mobile bills for postpaid clients or through phone credit for prepaid offers, removing common barriers to paid streaming platforms. Peter Mrkic, Managing Director of TOD, highlighted Morocco's impressive growth and its significance as a key market, particularly given the country's passion for football. Azdine El Mountassir Billah, Chairman and CEO of inwi, stated that this partnership aligns with inwi's vision to support sports and entertainment development in Morocco, enhance access to high-quality premium content, and reinforce the operator's mission for digital inclusion and democratizing digital services. The alliance aims to improve the viewing experience for Moroccan fans by offering easier access to major sports competitions and a broader range of entertainment.
Must ReadMaghreb de Fès MAS has been crowned Moroccan champions, securing their first national title in over 40 years. The team, led by Pablo Franco, clinched the Botola Pro title on the final day of the season with a 2-0 victory over Olympique Dcheira, thanks to goals from Anas Tahiri 51st minute and Aymen Chabani 72nd minute. This victory brings their total national titles to five, adding to previous wins in 1965, 1979, 1983, and 1985. MAS also boasts a CAF Cup 2011, an African Super Cup 2012, and four Throne Cups. They finished the season with 59 points from 16 wins, 11 draws, and 3 losses. Renaissance de Berkane RSB finished second with 57 points, earning a spot in the next CAF Champions League, despite their 3-1 win against Difaâ Hassani d'El Jadida. Raja de Casablanca secured third place with 56 points after a 2-0 victory over Olympic Safi and AS FAR's draw, qualifying them for the CAF Confederation Cup. AS FAR ended in fourth with 55 points, missing out on the title after leading earlier in the season. Wydad de Casablanca finished a disappointing fifth with 43 points, concluding a difficult season with seven consecutive league defeats. In the relegation battle, Union Touarga 31 points and Olympique Dcheira 30 points will compete in playoffs to retain their top-flight status. Olympic Safi 22 points and US Yacoub El Mansour 22 points were relegated to the second division.