Ismael Saibari has officially arrived on the biggest stage in football. The 25-year-old PSV Eindhoven attacking midfielder netted his first-ever World Cup goal for Morocco, capping a stretch of form that has turned him from a promising Eredivisie talent into one of the most talked-about players in international football.
From friendly heroics to the World Cup stage
Saibari’s World Cup moment didn’t materialize out of thin air. He was in scorching form heading into the tournament, most notably scoring twice in a 4-0 friendly demolition of Madagascar on June 2, 2026. Those goals came early, in the 4th and 24th minutes, the kind of clinical start that screams confidence.
Saibari had already been named to Morocco’s 26-man World Cup squad, announced on May 26, 2026. Heading into the tournament, Saibari carried 30 caps and 9 goals for Morocco. The World Cup strike pushes that tally to double digits on the international stage.
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