Changes in Morocco's World Cup Roster
In a significant blow to Morocco's aspirations for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which is set to kick off this Thursday, two key players have been replaced on the national team roster. Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, commonly known as Ez Abde, and Nayef Aguerd will not participate in the tournament, as they have been substituted by Amine Sbai and Marwane Saadane, both of whom were on the reserve list. This development has been confirmed through the latest updates provided by FIFA regarding the official roster of 26 players.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has yet to make an official statement regarding these changes, nor have they confirmed whether these are permanent omissions from the squad. The exclusion of Ez Abde stems from a knee injury he sustained during a friendly match against Norway, with medical examinations revealing a ligament sprain that will necessitate several weeks of recovery, according to local Moroccan media.
Marrakech's World Cup Journey
As for Nayef Aguerd, reports from Le360 indicate that after an extended absence due to physical issues, the defender has failed to regain the necessary fitness level to compete at the World Cup. Morocco arrives at the 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as one of the emerging forces in international football. This follows their historic performance in the 2022 World Cup, where they made history by becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals of the tournament.
The Atlas Lions are set to make their World Cup debut against Brazil on June 13 at the MetLife Stadium, located in East Rutherford, within the New York metropolitan area. Their group, Group C, also includes Haiti and Scotland, which adds to the excitement of their journey in this prestigious competition. Fans are eagerly anticipating the team's performance as they aim to build on their previous successes.
As reported by mediotiempo.com.
