Morocco lose Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli to injury for 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Morocco will be without Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli at the 2026 World Cup, which begins on Thursday in Mexico at 21:00, after injuries forced them out. According to L'Équipe, changes on FIFA platforms show the pair are no longer listed, while the Moroccan federation has yet to make it official.

They have been replaced by Marwane Saadane of Al-Fateh and Amine Sbai of Angers. It is a significant blow for head coach Mohamed Ouahbi only days before his side’s first match.

Aguerd, 30, had been spotted in training and hoped to return, but he has not fully recovered from the pubalgia that has kept him out since early March. The Olympique de Marseille centre-back opted for surgery, then continued his rehabilitation in Morocco, aiming to be ready, a gamble that ultimately failed.

Ezzalzouli, 24, suffered a knee injury in the final warm-up against Norway. His absence was initially estimated at a few weeks, seemingly jeopardising only the group stage.

Morocco first told Betis they wished to keep the winger, but the stance has shifted and he will not take part in the tournament.

Source: L'Équipe