Amid World Cup Glare, Morocco’s Ismael Saibari Keeps His Focus on the Pitch

As Bayern Munich scouts shadow the Atlas Lions’ breakout star, coach Mohamed Ouahbi insists the midfielder remains unmoved by the escalating transfer noise.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has a way of turning rising stars into global commodities overnight, and Ismael Saibari is currently living that reality. After a standout performance in the opening Group C draw against Brazil, where he netted a crucial goal, the PSV Eindhoven midfielder has found his name linked to European giants Bayern Munich. In the high-stakes environment of a World Cup, such speculation usually rattles a dressing room, but the Morocco camp claims to be remarkably serene.

National team coach Mohamed Ouahbi has moved quickly to insulate his squad from the mounting pressure of the transfer window. Speaking to the Moroccan outlet Al-Botola, Ouahbi clarified that while interest from a club as prestigious as Bayern is a point of pride for Moroccan football, nothing has been finalised. He dismissed the idea that the German club is engaging in aggressive tactics to force a move, describing the communication between all parties as measured and professional.

The Kompany Connection

The background to this pursuit is particularly interesting due to the presence of Vincent Kompany at the helm of the Bundesliga side. Ouahbi, who shares a personal rapport with the Bayern manager, believes that the Belgian tactician is well-aware of the current boundaries. "I know Vincent Kompany very well, and I think he understands the situation too," Ouahbi noted. By acknowledging that the tournament is the priority, the Moroccan setup is effectively signalling that any formal negotiations will stay on the back burner until their campaign concludes.

For the observers at AfricaSoccer, the timing is far from ideal, yet it is a familiar script in modern football. The spotlight on Saibari mirrors a broader trend this summer, where talent scouts are aggressively tracking potential moves for players like Jonah Kusi-Asare and Emmanuel Mbemba, even as the world’s biggest tournament unfolds. Despite the noise, Saibari has reportedly remained composed, maintaining his focus on Morocco’s upcoming fixtures rather than the headlines emanating from Germany.

Why it matters: The bigger picture

The intersection of international football and the transfer market creates a unique form of pressure for emerging talents. While the "transfer circus" often threatens to derail a player’s concentration, the mature handling of the Saibari situation suggests a shift in how national teams manage these distractions. By framing Bayern Munich’s interest as a testament to the quality of Moroccan football rather than a nuisance, Ouahbi has managed to turn a potential disruption into a source of national pride, ensuring his star midfielder keeps his eyes on the prize.