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Ed Dove
Multiple Authors
Morocco has made two injury-related changes to its World Cup roster, substituting Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli with new players just before their first match against Brazil.
FIFA officially announced the changes, with Aguerd being replaced by Marwane Saadane and Amine Sbaï replacing Ezzalzouli.
The Atlas Lions had hoped both players might recover from their injuries in time to join the tournament, but they opted to make these changes ahead of the squad deadline, just 24 hours before facing Brazil in New York on Saturday.
Aguerd, a key center-back and part of the squad that reached the semifinals at the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022, has not played for his club, Marseille, since March 4 due to ongoing groin issues.
After undergoing surgery in March, his recovery faced setbacks as medical staff discovered a fracture in his pubic bone in April, necessitating further treatment.
Despite being included in the initial roster, he did not participate in any of Morocco’s pre-tournament friendlies, with head coach Mohamed Ouahbi emphasizing the team’s commitment to player safety.
Saadane, the 34-year-old replacement, has had limited involvement with the national team since his debut in 2015 and currently plays for Al Fateh in Saudi Arabia.
Ezzalzouli was seen as a possible breakout player for the tournament, but his chances were cut short after he sustained an injury in a collision with teammate Chadi Riad during a 1-1 friendly draw against Norway.
The Real Betis player injured his right leg, and while the Morocco team gave him a 48-hour window to prove his fitness with further evaluations, ultimately he will not be able to participate, making way for Angers‘ Sbaï, who has just made his debut for the national team prior to the tournament.
Morocco has also faced fitness concerns regarding Anass Salah-Eddine, Chemsdine Talbi, and Noussair Mazraoui, who suffered a shoulder injury during the match against Norway; however, all three seem fit to compete in the World Cup.
Following their match against Brazil, Morocco is set to face Scotland in Foxborough six days later and will wrap up their Group C campaign against Haiti in Atlanta on June 24.