Olise’s Yellow Card Remains as Saibari Out for Morocco
Olise yellow card stands as Saibari – France’s attempt to appeal the yellow card shown to Michael Olise during their World Cup encounter with Paraguay has been unsuccessful. The Bayern Munich winger retained his booking after a collision with Matias Galarza in stoppage time of France’s 1-0 last-16 victory in Philadelphia. Galarza collapsed following the incident, prompting debate over the tackle’s severity.
Olise, who has five assists at the 2026 World Cup, faces potential exclusion from France’s semi-final clash against Spain or Belgium if they defeat Morocco in the quarter-final. “The yellow card has not changed. We were notified by FIFA this morning, it has been maintained,” stated France manager Didier Deschamps before the game at Boston Stadium.
Controversial Moments in the Match
Referee Ilgiz Tantashev’s decisions drew criticism, with several French players receiving cautions while Paraguay’s squad went untouched. Bradley Barcola and Manu Kone were also booked, though the South American team avoided penalties. Mbappe’s winning penalty came after Paraguay’s Gustavo Velazquez scuffed the spot, while Upamecano took a rib injury from a challenge by Gabriel Avalos.
“The yellow card has not changed.” – Didier Deschamps
FIFA’s suspension of a red card for United States striker Folarin Balogun highlighted inconsistencies in officiating. Despite being sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Balogun played in the 4-1 defeat against Belgium after US President Donald Trump requested a review of the decision.
Antagonism and Aftermath
Following the match, Kylian Mbappe criticized a Paraguayan senator for racist remarks targeting his background and education. “Disgusting,” the senator’s actions were described as “way too far” by former England keeper Joe Hart. Thomas Hitzlsperger, a BBC Sport pundit, called the referee performance “probably the worst I’ve seen at this tournament.”
“He’s not ready but I hope it’s not the end of the tournament for him.” – Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi
Morocco will miss their key player Ismael Saibari in the quarter-final against France. The 25-year-old, who recently joined Bayern Munich from PSV Eindhoven, was forced to leave the field after 22 minutes of their 3-0 win over Canada. Saibari contributed goals in all three of his team’s group-stage matches, including a 1-1 draw with Brazil, a 1-0 victory against Scotland, and a 4-2 win over Haiti.
World Cup 2026 Knockout Path
France’s path to the final remains intact as they prepare for their next challenge. Meanwhile, Morocco’s quest to avenge their 2022 World Cup loss to France continues, now without Saibari’s presence.
How to Watch the World Cup
For live updates and coverage, BBC and ITV offer comprehensive access to all matches. Fans can follow the action as teams navigate the knockout stages, with key players like Olise and Saibari playing pivotal roles in their campaigns.
