World Cup: Bayern’s transfer target starts for Morocco against Brazil

Ismael Saibari and Bilal El Khannouss start for Morocco in their highly-anticipated World Cup group stage clash against five-time winners Brazil.

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FC Bayern’s transfer target Ismael Saibari is in Morocco’s starting lineup for their opening World Cup fixture against five-time winners Brazil. The Rekordmeister are in advanced negotiations to sign the PSV midfielder this summer.

Meanwhile, Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss is also in Morocco's XI, while Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ayoube Amaimouni starts on the bench for the 2022 semi-finalists. The captain Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund) and Noussair Mazraoui (FC Bayern) also have previous Bundesliga experiences from Mohamed Ouahbi’s side.

There are no current Bundesliga players in Brazil’s squad, but starting left-back Douglas Santos (HSV) and substitue Matheus Cunha (RB Leipzig and Hertha BSC) had brief spells in Germany’s top-flight. Carlo Ancelotti named Neymar to the squad, but the superstar will miss tonight’s game due to an injury.

Confirmed Brazil vs. Morocco Lineups

Brazil: Alisson; Douglas Santos, Marquinhos ©, Gabriel, Ibanez; Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro; Raphinha, Lucas Paqueta, Vini Jr.; Thiago

Morocco: Bono; Hakimi ©, Diop, Riad, Mazraoui; El Aynaoui, Bouaddi; Brahim Diaz, Ounahi, El Khannouss; Saibari