Mohamed Ouahbi On The Amrabat Case: The Past Commands Respect, Not A Guaranteed Place

Sofyan Amrabat has told Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi he does not want to be considered for selection while the current staff remain in charge.

The 30-year-old Ajax midfielder, capped 78 times by Morocco, said he would remain unavailable for selection as long as Ouahbi stays in charge. He stopped short of calling it a retirement, leaving open the possibility of a return if circumstances change, and declined to detail his reasons, citing respect for the national team and those involved.

The decision followed the 2026 World Cup, where Amrabat started just once, against Haiti, otherwise featuring as a substitute — a stark contrast to his central role at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His reduced role has come alongside the rise of younger midfielders Ayyoub Bouaddi and Neil El Aynaoui, who have intensified competition for places. Morocco’s current squad also relies heavily on Achraf Hakimi, whose speed and skill at fullback exemplify the modern standard younger players are now measured against.

Ouahbi dismissed any suggestion of a personal conflict, describing Amrabat as a consummate professional who would raise issues directly with staff rather than through public statements or family members. He described Amrabat’s frustration over limited playing time as an understandable reaction to growing competition rather than a sign of a deeper rift.

He similarly played down earlier criticism from Amrabat’s brother following a quarterfinal defeat, drawing on his experience working with young players and their families to put the comments in context.

Summing up his selection approach, Ouahbi said: “The past gives respect, but not privileges.” He added that Amrabat’s contribution to Moroccan football “deserves respect” and “must not be forgotten,” but insisted no player is guaranteed a place regardless of history or reputation. He pointed to club-level playing time as the key factor, with competitive readiness and current form remaining decisive.

With Morocco preparing for AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Gabon, Lesotho and Ghana, Ouahbi framed the case as part of a wider approach built on meritocracy and squad renewal, rather than a personal dispute with Amrabat.