Morocco Faces Injury Woes in Final Preparations for World Cup 2026
The Moroccan national football team recently concluded their last preparatory match ahead of the 2026 World Cup against Norway. However, the team's morale took a hit as two key players sustained injuries during the game in New Jersey, raising alarm bells within the squad. The injuries to Abde Ezzalzouli and Noussair Mazraoui forced them to exit the match prematurely, causing a wave of concern for head coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
Coach Ouahbi expressed his worries, stating, "Two players had to leave the field due to injuries. We are currently assessing the severity of their conditions, which is my primary concern as we approach our World Cup debut against Brazil on June 13." Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Ouahbi noted the team's overall performance, highlighting that they delivered a commendable display in the 1-1 draw against Norway. "We left a good impression, even without a win, as we demonstrated some very good aspects against a strong opponent," he remarked. He also commented on the challenges of making significant player changes, mentioning, "When you make ten substitutions, it can be difficult for the players, but it was essential for us to manage everyone's playing time effectively."
Reports indicate that Ezzalzouli suffered a sprain to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, while Mazraoui sustained a shoulder injury, which may potentially be a partial dislocation. Official confirmation regarding their injuries is still awaited.
This upcoming World Cup will mark Morocco's sixth appearance in the prestigious tournament. Prior to their participation in Qatar 2022, their best performance was in Mexico 1986, where they reached the Round of 16. In other editions, the team was eliminated in the group stage. Interestingly, Morocco has qualified for every World Cup held in Mexico, with their inaugural appearance dating back to the 1970 tournament. After missing the next three editions, they returned in 1986 and also competed in the World Cups in the United States in 1994, France in 1998, Russia in 2018, and now they are set to return to Mexico for another edition of the tournament.
As reported by record.com.mx.
