In a significant blow to the Morocco national football team, winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli has been officially excluded from competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after sustaining a knee injury. This unfortunate incident occurred during the Atlas Lions’ final warm-up match against Norway, where Ezzalzouli was forced to exit the game at halftime due to concerns regarding his knee.
Following medical evaluations, it was determined that the injury required several weeks of rehabilitation, thereby making Ezzalzouli’s participation in the tournament highly improbable. As a consequence, Amine Sbai has been named as his replacement in an updated squad list registered with FIFA. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has yet to issue an official statement regarding this change, but the updated roster now includes Sbai, who plays for SCO Angers in France, among the 26 players representing Morocco.
Ezzalzouli's presence was anticipated to be pivotal in coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s attacking strategy, given his exceptional speed, dribbling skills, and capacity to create scoring opportunities in one-on-one situations. His unexpected withdrawal not only disrupts the team's offensive dynamics but also compels the coaching staff to reassess their tactical approach ahead of the crucial opening match against Brazil.
Adding to the challenges, Nayef Aguerd has also been ruled out of the World Cup due to an inability to regain full fitness in time, leading to Marwane Saadane being named as his replacement. With less than 48 hours remaining before Morocco’s first match of the tournament, the team faces significant adjustments as they aim to maintain their competitive edge.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
