Morocco’s hopes of launching a strong 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign have been dealt a significant setback after two influential members of the squad, Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli, were ruled out of the tournament through injury.
The duo’s withdrawal comes at a crucial stage of preparations, leaving head coach Mohamed Ouahbi with last-minute adjustments before the Atlas Lions kick off their Group C journey against Brazil on Sunday.
Aguerd’s omission is particularly damaging for Morocco’s defensive plans. The experienced centre-back has been working tirelessly to recover from a lingering adductor problem that sidelined him for much of the year. After undergoing surgery in March, the defender made encouraging progress and returned to training in recent weeks.
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Despite those efforts, medical assessments determined that the former Marseille and Rennes defender would not be capable of competing at the intensity required during the tournament, prompting the technical team to leave him out of the final squad.
His absence strips Morocco of one of their most reliable defensive leaders and a player whose experience was expected to be vital in navigating a difficult group stage.
Further frustration arrived with the loss of Ezzalzouli. The Real Betis winger picked up a knee injury during Morocco’s final preparatory match against Norway after being challenged inside the penalty area.
Initial examinations suggested the 24-year-old could potentially recover in time to feature later in the competition. However, subsequent evaluations revealed a moderate ligament sprain, leading the medical staff to recommend his replacement rather than carry an injured player through the tournament.
In response, Morocco have turned to their reserve list, drafting in defender Marwane Saadane and winger Amine Sbai. Both players have completed the necessary registration procedures with FIFA and are now available for selection.
The timing of the double blow could hardly be worse for a Moroccan side aiming to build on the remarkable achievements of the 2022 World Cup, where they became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.
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With heavyweight opponents Brazil, alongside Scotland and Haiti, standing in their way, Morocco face a stern challenge in the group phase. The absence of Aguerd and Ezzalzouli places added pressure on several of the squad’s senior figures, including captain Achraf Hakimi, defender Chadi Riad and creative midfielder Brahim Díaz.
As the tournament gets underway, the Atlas Lions will be hoping their squad depth can compensate for the loss of two key contributors and keep their World Cup ambitions firmly on track.
