Sofyan Amrabat has challenged Mohamed Ouahbi’s explanation for his decision to step back from the Morocco national team, saying it was not linked to a reduction in his playing time.
The 30-year-old midfielder was displaced in Morocco’s plans ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the role of deputy to 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, who has eight international caps. Amrabat made only one start at the tournament.
His initial frustration had emerged through comments from his brother before Amrabat publicly announced that he would no longer play for Morocco while Ouahbi remained in charge.
Ouahbi left the 78-cap midfielder out of his latest squad, announced on Thursday, but rejected the suggestion that their relationship had broken down. The coach attributed Amrabat’s withdrawal to his changed status within the team.
Speaking at a news conference, Ouahbi acknowledged that “it is not easy” to “lose the leading role” to “the young players who are coming through”. However, he added: “The past deserves respect, but it must never provide privileges.”
Amrabat offered a different account in an interview with ESPN. He appeared surprised by Ouahbi’s explanation and insisted that his decision had nothing to do with the amount of playing time available to him.
The midfielder’s comments have fuelled speculation that there was a disagreement between him and Ouahbi. Amrabat nevertheless dismissed that possibility, as Ouahbi had done the previous day.
He also praised Bouaddi, who is regarded as the future of Morocco’s midfield. The teenager’s emergence has been central to the change in Amrabat’s position within the squad, although Amrabat did not present that development as the reason for his decision.
The contrasting explanations have left the circumstances surrounding Amrabat’s withdrawal unresolved. He has disputed Ouahbi’s account while also ruling out any conflict with the coach, who is now his former Morocco manager.
Amrabat’s position means the midfielder’s international future remains uncertain. He has made clear that he will not play for Morocco for as long as Ouahbi is in charge, but his latest comments have added to the uncertainty over what prompted that decision.
The situation follows a significant change in the midfielder’s role. Once a key figure for Morocco, Amrabat has been overtaken in the hierarchy by Bouaddi, despite his experience and 78 appearances for the national side.
Ouahbi has defended the decision to give greater responsibility to younger players, while Amrabat has maintained that his choice to step away should not be interpreted simply as a response to losing his place. With both men denying a personal dispute, the reasons behind the split remain unclear.