Sofyan Amrabat Makes Himself Unavailable for Morocco While Ouahbi Remains Coach

Former Manchester United midfielder Sofyan Amrabat has released a stunning statement confirming he will stay away from the Morocco national team while manager Mohamed Ouahbi remains in charge. The announcement, made on September 8, 2026, sent shockwaves through the Moroccan football community.

The Statement

Amrabat took to Instagram to say: “This has been a very difficult decision, but I do not feel able to continue representing the national team under the current head coach. 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.”

Amrabat also told Fabrizio Romano directly: “Under this coach, I’m not gonna continue.”

This Is Not a Retirement

Amrabat has made himself unavailable for Morocco under coach Mohamed Ouahbi, but insists he has not retired from international football. The 30-year-old said he would remain the team’s “biggest fan” as they begin their journey to the Cup of Nations.

Amrabat also insisted that the door remained open to a return if circumstances change, saying: “I am therefore making myself unavailable for the national team as long as he remains in the job.”

What Triggered the Decision

Ouahbi was appointed as the new head coach of the national team following Walid Regragui’s shock resignation less than 100 days before the tournament. Unlike under Regragui, when Amrabat featured prominently, he was forced to settle for a nominal role in Ouahbi’s plans, starting just one game and completing 90 minutes against Haiti, while also coming off the bench against Canada and France.

The emergence of Manchester City midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has also limited his game time significantly.

Amrabat’s World Cup Role Under Ouahbi

Bouaddi quickly established himself alongside Neil El Aynaoui, while Amrabat started only one match at the 2026 World Cup against Haiti, with Morocco already assured of a place in the last 32. He was an unused substitute against Brazil, Scotland and the Netherlands, and played only the closing stages of matches against Canada and France.

The player logged a total of 145 minutes during the entire tournament.

World Cup Appearances Breakdown

The Brother’s Reaction

Following Morocco’s elimination by France in the quarter-finals, Sofyan’s brother told Dutch radio station FunX FM that the player was deeply disappointed by his limited playing time, saying: “I think he feels very, very disappointed, and I believe he is completely fed up with this coach, Mohamed Ouahbi.”

Ouahbi’s Response

Ouahbi denied there was a conflict with Amrabat, while acknowledging the midfielder’s strong personality, saying he had selected Amrabat because he believed the player could help the team. He insisted that the player had not caused any problems inside the camp and had dealt professionally with the technical staff’s decisions.

Amrabat’s Club Career and Current Situation

After his contract with Fenerbahce was terminated by mutual consent on August 29, 2026, Amrabat signed for Eredivisie club Ajax as a free agent on a two-year deal on August 30, 2026.

The former Manchester United and Fiorentina midfielder was a key member of Morocco’s historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals under Walid Regragui, who was replaced by Ouahbi in March.

Career Timeline

The Bigger Picture

The dispute has been described as an “irreparable breakdown” between the player and the head coach. Amrabat made himself unavailable for Morocco ahead of the start of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this month. Morocco host Gabon in their first Group A qualifier on September 25, before a trip to neutral South Africa to face Lesotho in Bloemfontein four days later.

His 78th international appearance, against France in the World Cup last-16, could therefore prove to be his final match for Morocco. There is no certainty that he will return to the national team, even if Ouahbi’s tenure develops differently over the coming years.

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