Amrabat quits Morocco ahead of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

Midfielder Sofyan Amrabat has informed Morocco's football federation that he will not be available for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, citing his dissatisfaction with current coach Mohamed Ouahbi. The 30-year-old, who recently joined Ajax Amsterdam, has not officially retired from international football, stating he remains open to representing Morocco again in the future.

Amrabat's decision comes after limited playing time at the recent World Cup, where he started only one of Morocco's six matches and eventually lost to France in the quarter-finals. The emergence of Manchester City midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has also played a role in his decision, as Ayyoub's arrival has reduced Amrabat's opportunities to feature for the national team.

In an Instagram post, Amrabat described his choice as a "very difficult decision," but emphasized that he is maintaining respect for the national team and its stakeholders by keeping the specific reasons behind his decision private. Despite his decision, Amrabat remains a dedicated fan of the Moroccan national team and expressed his support for the squad as they prepare for the upcoming qualifiers, which will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from June to July 2027.

Morocco will open their Group A campaign with a match against Gabon on September 25, followed by a trip to South Africa to face Lesotho in Bloemfontein four days later.