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Abde Ezzalzouli has sustained an injury during a friendly match between Morocco and Norway as part of the preparations for the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The FIFA has recently updated Morocco's squad list of 26 players, which sees Abde Ezzalzouli from Real Betis and Nayef Aguerd from Marseille being replaced. They will be substituted by left winger Amine Sbaï from Angers and defender Marwane Saadane from Saudi club Al-Fateh.
According to reports from AFP, the Moroccan delegation, currently based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, refrained from making any comments regarding these changes. Ezzalzouli suffered a right knee sprain towards the end of the first half of the friendly match against Norway, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Meanwhile, Aguerd has been sidelined since March after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia.
The absence of both Abde and Aguerd poses a significant challenge for the new head coach of the 'Atlas Lions', Mohamed Ouahbi, particularly considering Ezzalzouli's remarkable form with Betis this season. The 24-year-old winger has been instrumental in helping Betis secure a fifth-place finish in LaLiga and qualify for the upcoming UEFA Champions League.
Additionally, Abde shone in the Europa League, contributing to the club's journey to the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Portugal's Braga. On Wednesday, June 10, Abde missed the morning training session, while Aguerd participated fully, engaging in ball exercises and speed drills.
Wahbi was counting on Aguerd's experience as a central defender, as well as his crucial contribution to the performance of the semi-finalists from the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Morocco is currently facing a shortage of experienced central defenders following the retirement of iconic captain Romain Saïss, the injury of Torino's defender Adam Masina during the recent Africa Cup of Nations, and the long-term unavailability of Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad, who has just returned to competition.
The 'Atlas Lions' have now turned to Fulham defender Issa Diop. This newcomer has chosen to represent his mother's country instead of France, his father's homeland.
As reported by primicias.ec.
