Morocco address injury concerns ahead of opener vs. Brazil
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi and Abde Ezzalzouli celebrate after a quarterfinals match against Cameroon in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat on Jan. 9, 2026. Morocco made a pair of roster moves on Thursday, two days ahead of their World Cup Group C opener against Brazil in East Rutherford, N.J.
Amine Sbai is taking the place of star forward Abde Ezzalzouli, while Marwane Saadane is replacing fellow defender Nayef Aguerd on Morocco's 26-man squad.
Ezzalzouli, 24, sustained an injury to his right leg following a collision with teammate Chadi Riad during a 1-1 draw Sunday with Norway. Ezzalzouli, a former Barcelona player who competes for Spanish first division side Real Betis, is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks with a Grade 2 sprain of his MCL.
Aguerd, 30, last played for club team Marseille on March 4 due to ongoing groin problems. He was a key player on Morocco's semifinal World Cup team in Qatar in 2022.
Saadane, 34, competes for Al Fateh SC in Saudi Arabia and Sbai, 26, plays for French club Angers SC.
Morocco also will face Scotland on June 19 in Foxborough, Mass., and Haiti on June 24 in Atlanta.
--Field Level Media
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