Amrabat quits Morocco under Ouahbi, insists he’s not retired

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By Adegboyega Adeleye

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Sofyan Amrabat has made himself unavailable for Morocco under coach Mohamed Ouahbi, but insists he has not retired from international football.

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According to Reuters, the 30-year-old midfielder announced the decision ahead of Morocco’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, saying he would not represent the national team while Ouahbi remains in charge.

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

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The Ajax midfielder said he preferred to keep his reasons private “out of respect for the national team and everyone involved”, but made his position clear.

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“I am therefore making myself unavailable for selection while he remains in charge,” he said.

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Amrabat also stressed that his decision was not a retirement from international football.

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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,” he added.

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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.

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Amrabat had limited playing time at the 2026 World Cup, starting just one of Morocco’s six matches as they reached the quarter-finals before losing to France.

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Manchester City midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi’s emergence has also limited his opportunities, according to Reuters.

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Amrabat recently joined Ajax and said he would remain Morocco’s “biggest fan” as the team begins its AFCON qualification campaign.

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Morocco will host Gabon on September 25 before facing Lesotho in South Africa four days later, with the 2027 AFCON scheduled to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

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