Scotland vs Morocco: Bayern Munich-bound Saibari is living the dream in a role he never imagined

Ismael Saibari may be on the verge of the most extraordinary summer of his career, combining a starring role at the 2026 World Cup with an impending move to one of European football's most decorated clubs.

In a role he could scarcely have anticipated at international level, the 25-year-old has emerged as Morocco's most potent attacking threat under boss Mohamed Ouahbi — and all while quietly completing a blockbuster transfer to Bayern Munich.

Saibari thrives as Morocco's false nine

Repositioned as a false nine by Ouahbi, Saibari has taken to his new role with impressive conviction. The statistics are compelling: three goals in three matches — a brace against Madagascar in Morocco's final pre-tournament friendly on 2 June, and a clinical strike against Brazil in the opening group game.

For that goal against Brazil, Saibari made a driving run across the Brazilian defence from a central position, was played in behind by Brahim Diaz and produced a perfectly executed chip to beat Alisson Becker in the 21st minute.

It was the kind of finish that underlines why European football's elite have been so keen to secure his signature.

Under former boss Walid Regragui, Morocco had at times struggled for cutting edge against opponents they were expected to overcome comfortably. With Saibari operating as the focal point of the attack, the evidence suggests Ouahbi has found a solution to that problem.

The Terrassa-born forward is expected to retain his place as the tip of Morocco's attacking formation for Friday's Group C clash with Scotland and for the fixtures that follow. Ayoub El Kaabi, displaced from the first eleven, is set to start on the bench for a third consecutive match.

A landmark move to Bayern Munich

Away from the tournament itself, Saibari is also on the brink of completing one of the summer's most significant transfer deals.

The Eredivisie's best player of the 2025-26 season — who registered 19 goals and nine assists in 37 appearances for PSV Eindhoven — has completed his medical with the back-to-back Bundesliga champions.

According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, the examination took place at Morocco's training base in New Jersey in recent days.

Saibari is set to commit to Bayern Munich until 2031 for a fee of between £44 million and £47 million (€52m-€55m). The formal signing of the contract is expected to be completed in Munich once the World Cup concludes.