Morocco announced this Thursday (11) two last-minute changes to its list for the 2026 World Cup. Defender Nayef Aguerd, from Olympique de Marseille, and striker Abde Ezzalzouli, from Real Betis, were cut due to physical problems.
The vacancies were filled by Marwane Saadane, from Al Fateh, from Saudi Arabia, and Amine Sbai, from Angers, from France. The two new recruits were already training with the group.
The Moroccan team debuts on Saturday (13), at 7pm (Brasília time), against Brazil, at the MetLife Stadium, in New York/New Jersey. Group C still has Scotland and Haiti.
Ezzalzouli, one of the main names in the Moroccan attack, suffered a sprain in his right knee in the friendly against Norway. The injury requires at least three weeks of recovery and completely takes him out of the tournament.
Aguerd traveled to the World Cup with a groin injury. He has not played for the club since March and was unable to recover in time, despite being initially kept in the hope of progress.
The cuts represent a double blow for coach Mohamed Ouahbi. Aguerd was an important player in defense, while Ezzalzouli brought speed and creativity on the left side — attributes that helped Morocco reach the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the best campaign by an African team in history.
With the changes, Morocco arrives weakened for the challenge against Brazil, the group’s top seed and favorite for the title. The African team will need to adjust the defensive system and find new attacking options in just a few days of preparation.
Impact on Atlas Lions
Aguerd’s absence compromises the solidity of the defense, which was one of the strong points in the last World Cup. Ezzalzouli, in turn, was one of the most dynamic players on the team, capable of unbalancing in quick transitions.
The replacements, Saadane and Sbai, have experience in less demanding leagues and will have little time to gel. This increases the pressure on the rest of the squad, who were already dealing with other recent absences.
FIFA approved the changes, which follow the regulations for cases of proven injury.