Amrabat quits Morocco ahead of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

Midfielder Sofyan Amrabat has made himself unavailable for Morocco ahead of the start ​of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this ‌month, saying he will not play under ​current coach Mohamed Ouahbi but has ⁠not retired from international football.

At ‌the recent World Cup, Amrabat started only one of his side’s six games ‌as ⁠it lost to France in the ⁠quarterfinals. The emergence of Manchester City midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has limited his game time.

“This has been a very difficult decision, but ​I do not ‌feel able to continue representing the national team under the current head coach,” said Amrabat, in an Instagram post.

“I am therefore making myself ‌unavailable for selection while he remains in ​charge. Out of respect for the national team and everyone involved, I prefer to ⁠keep the reasons behind this decision private.

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“I want to be clear: I am not retiring from ‌international football, and I am not closing the door on representing Morocco again.”

Dutch-born Amrabat, who recently signed for Ajax, was a key member of the Morocco side that reached the 2022 World Cup semifinals under former coach Walid ‌Regragui, who Ouahbi replaced in March this year.

Morocco hosts Gabon in its first Group ‌A qualifier on September 25, before a trip to neutral South Africa to face Lesotho ​in Bloemfontein four days later.

Published on Sep 08, 2026