Morocco’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a significant setback following the injury of Zakaria Aboukhlal, who has undergone knee surgery.
The midfielder required an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee, raising fresh concerns for head coach Mohamed Ouahbi as he continues to shape his squad for the global tournament set to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Surgery Confirmed, Recovery Begins
Italian club Torino FC confirmed that the procedure was successfully carried out in Amsterdam by Dr Bas Pijnenburg, with club medical staff closely monitoring the situation.
Aboukhlal has already begun rehabilitation, but crucially, no clear timeline has been provided for his return. Medical teams are expected to assess his progress in the coming weeks before determining the next steps.
Major Concern for Morocco
The uncertainty surrounding Aboukhlal’s fitness could not come at a worse time. With the World Cup fast approaching, Morocco are entering a critical phase of preparation.
Mohamed Ouahbi now faces a difficult balancing act whether to plan with or without one of his key attacking options.
Race Against Time
While early signs from rehabilitation are said to be positive, the lack of a defined recovery schedule leaves his availability for upcoming fixtures in doubt.
For Morocco, the situation remains one to watch closely. Any prolonged absence could force tactical reshuffles and squad adjustments as the Atlas Lions aim to build momentum ahead of football’s biggest stage.
