Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi has delivered a heartfelt message of support to teammates Abde Ezzalzouli and Nayef Aguerd after the pair were ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup through injury, dealing a significant blow to the Atlas Lions’ hopes ahead of their opening match against Brazil.
The Moroccan duo had been expected to play important roles in the North African side’s campaign, but injuries have forced both players out of the tournament before a ball has been kicked for Morocco.
Reacting to the news, Hakimi paid tribute to his teammates and vowed that the squad would continue fighting in their absence.
“Soccer can be cruel sometimes. Thank you for everything you’ve given to the group since day one. We’ll keep fighting for you. We love you.”
The message from one of Africa’s biggest football stars reflects the disappointment within the Moroccan camp as the team prepares for one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage against five-time world champions Brazil.
Ezzalzouli’s withdrawal is considered particularly damaging for Morocco.
The winger suffered a knee ligament sprain during the Atlas Lions’ final warm-up match, a 1-1 draw against Norway. He was forced off during the game and subsequent assessments confirmed that the injury would prevent him from participating in the tournament.
The setback comes after what was described as a strong season for the winger, who had been expected to provide creativity and attacking threat for Morocco on football’s biggest stage.
Aguerd has also been forced to withdraw after failing to recover from a groin injury.
The defender arrived at the tournament carrying the problem and was unavailable for the friendly against Norway. Despite efforts to regain fitness in time, he has not recovered sufficiently to take part in the competition.
The loss of both players represents a major challenge for Morocco, who enter the tournament carrying the hopes of many African football supporters following their impressive performances on the global stage in recent years.
Morocco’s coaching staff have already moved to replace the injured pair.
Amine Sbaï and Marwane Saadane have been added to the squad and registered on FIFA’s official list, making them immediately available for selection.
The changes come at a crucial moment, with Morocco preparing to begin their campaign against Brazil in what could prove to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening round.
Despite the disappointment surrounding the injuries, Hakimi’s message highlighted the unity within the squad as the Atlas Lions look to overcome adversity and compete against some of the world’s strongest teams.
Morocco now face the challenge of reshaping their plans without two influential players, while newly called-up replacements will have the opportunity to step onto the World Cup stage and contribute to the country’s ambitions.
As the tournament begins, the focus will shift to whether Morocco can once again rise to the occasion and deliver another memorable campaign for African football, even after suffering two significant injury setbacks before their opening match.
