Abde and Aguerd Withdraw from the World Cup Due to Injuries
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) officially announced on Friday the unfortunate news regarding the absence of Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, commonly known as Ez Abde, and Nayef Aguerd from Morocco's final squad for the 2026 World Cup. This significant event, which commenced on Thursday, has seen the players sidelined due to injuries, leading to their replacements by Amin Sbai and Marwane Saadane.
In a detailed statement, the FRMF clarified that Ez Abde, who plays as a winger for Real Betis, is suffering from a right knee injury that affects the internal collateral ligament. This injury necessitates a prolonged period of treatment and rehabilitation, thereby preventing him from participating in the tournament's final stages.
On the other hand, Nayef Aguerd, a defender for Olympique de Marseille, has demonstrated notable improvement in recent weeks. However, he will not be able to fully regain his physical and competitive form in time for the competition's start, as the remaining time is insufficient to ensure a complete recovery, according to the official note.
Considering the accredited medical reports and to ensure the team's full availability from the onset of the competitions, the national coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, has decided to call up Sbai (forward) and Saadane (defender) to join the final list of 26 players. Both players had already participated in the team's preparatory training sessions within the expanded reserve list, where they displayed commitment and readiness, as stated in the announcement.
The FRMF further emphasized that the overall health status of the remaining squad members is promising, with most players continuing their preparation in good condition. Medical assessments confirm that their physical state meets the demands of this crucial phase and aligns with the expectations of Moroccan fans.
As Morocco enters the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, they do so as one of the emerging teams in international football. This follows their historic performance in Qatar 2022, where they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. The Atlas Lions are set to debut the tournament against Brazil this Saturday at MetLife Stadium, located in East Rutherford, part of the New York metropolitan area.
As reported by ultimahora.es.
