Romain Saiss of Morocco during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ACON Morocco Training at the Mohammed VI Complex in Rabat, Morocco on 28 December 2025 ©Majt Esseddik/BackpagePix
Tuesday Feb 24, 2026. 11:12
Moroccan international captain Romain Saïss has announced his retirement from international football.
The 35-year-old released a heartfelt statement on social media on Monday, bidding farewell to the Atlas Lions less than four months from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Today, I close the most beautiful chapter of my footballer life. After careful consideration, it is with great emotion that I announce my international retirement,” wrote Saïss.
The defender described putting on the Moroccan jersey as the “greatest honour” of his career and that came with a feeling of “indescribable pride”.
Saïss offered thanks to all staff involved in his stint with the Atlas Lions, the Moroccan supporters, King Mohammed VI, as well as his family.
“The future of our national team looks bright […] I will now be your number one supporter, loyal and passionate, no matter what. Leaving the [nation al team], but I will forever be a Lion,” he wrote.
Currently playing for Al -Saad in the Qatari Stars League, Saïss made his debut for Morocco in an international friendly against Togo on 14 November 2012. His next appearance for the national team came in March 2016.
He was given the captain’s armband in 2019 during the Atlas Lions’ Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.
His last appearance for his country came at the recent 2025 AFCON on Moroccan soil, where he captained the hosts in the opening fixture against the Comoros. Saïss was forced off the field due to injury in the 19th minute and missed the rest of the campaign, which saw the Atlas Lions claim the silver medal after falling to Senegal in the final.
Perhaps Saïss’ biggest achievement was leading Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, setting a new best-ever performance for an African country at the global showpiece.