Morocco Loses Star Winger Ezzalzouli and Aguerd to Injuries for World Cup
- On Thursday, the Moroccan federation and FIFA confirmed that Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli were replaced in their World Cup squad due to injury, just 24 hours before their tournament opener against Brazil.
- Aguerd, a Marseille defender, struggled with a pubic bone fracture following groin surgery, while Real Betis winger Ezzalzouli sustained a leg injury when teammate Chadi Riad landed awkwardly on his right knee during the friendly against Norway.
- Marwane Saadane, a 34-year-old defender, and 25-year-old winger Amine Sbai join the squad as replacements; both had been training with the Atlas Lions in the United States as cover players before their sudden elevation.
- Morocco now faces Brazil at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Saturday with a revised roster, as Saadane and Sbai provide tactical flexibility while the team manages other fitness concerns across the squad.
- After the Brazil opener, Morocco will face Scotland in Foxborough six days later, then conclude their Group C campaign against Haiti in Atlanta on June 24, with Saadane and Sbai integrated into the Atlas Lions' tournament run.
56 Articles
56 Articles
Moroccan international Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, known as Ez Abde, acknowledged this Thursday that not being able to participate in the World Cup of 2026 for a knee injury is "a very hard blow." However, he assured that he will not give up and that he will work to return "better and stronger".Read more]]>
The selection of Morocco suffers two sensitive casualties in the run-up to the beginning of the 2026 North American World Cup. Manuel Pellegrini Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Ez Abde) and Marseille Olympian player Nayef Aguerd have had to say goodbye to the Cup. Its replacements will be Amine Sbai and Marwane Saadane, according to the inscription made on the FIFA list.The injury of the Betis player occurred in the 1-1 draw against Norway that was conte…
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