Morocco have suffered a major setback ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after injuries ruled Nayef Aguerd and Abdel Samad Zalzouli out of the tournament, prompting coach Mohamed Wahbi to make late changes to his squad.
The absence of two established members of the Atlas Lions comes just days before Morocco begin their campaign in the competition being hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
After medical assessments confirmed that neither player would be fit in time for the tournament, Wahbi moved quickly to identify replacements, reshaping key areas of his squad before the opening group-stage fixtures.
The loss of Aguerd and Zalzouli is regarded as a significant blow for a Moroccan side hoping to make a strong impact on football’s biggest stage. Both players have been important contributors to the national team in recent years, offering experience and quality in defence and attack respectively.
Aguerd Unable to Complete Recovery
Aguerd’s omission follows a prolonged battle to recover from an injury that has kept him out of action since March.
The defender continued rehabilitation efforts in recent weeks with the aim of securing a place in the World Cup squad. However, concerns over his physical condition ultimately convinced the coaching staff that he would not be ready to compete at the tournament.
His absence leaves a notable gap in Morocco’s defensive line. Aguerd has been considered one of the team’s most dependable defenders, providing leadership, experience and defensive stability.
The coaching staff had hoped he would recover in time, but medical evaluations confirmed that he could not be included in the final list.
Zalzouli Injury Adds to Morocco’s Problems
While Aguerd’s absence had become increasingly likely, concerns over Zalzouli emerged more recently.
The Real Betis winger suffered a knee injury during a friendly match against Norway, forcing him to leave the field before the final whistle. The injury raised immediate doubts about his availability and those fears were later confirmed when it became clear he would miss the World Cup.
Zalzouli’s exclusion deprives Morocco of one of its most dangerous attacking options. His pace, creativity and ability to influence matches in wide areas have made him a key component of the national team’s attacking plans.
The double injury setback left Wahbi with little choice but to revise his squad selection before the start of the competition.
New Faces Earn World Cup Opportunity
To compensate for the loss of the two players, Wahbi has called up Amine Sebaï and Marouane Saâdane, according to information published on FIFA’s official website.
Sebaï, who plays as a centre-forward, has been rewarded for strong performances at club level. The former Al-Fateh striker, now with French side Angers, impressed during his time in the Saudi Roshen League and has been selected to strengthen Morocco’s attacking options.
Meanwhile, 34-year-old defender Saâdane arrives with considerable experience. The Al-Fateh player is expected to help fill the void left by Aguerd and add stability and balance to the Moroccan defence.
Focus Turns to Brazil Clash
Despite the late disruption, Morocco must now turn its attention to its opening World Cup assignment.
The Atlas Lions are scheduled to face Brazil in their first Group C match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The fixture will take place in the early hours of Sunday, 14 June, at 1:00am Mecca time.
The encounter is widely viewed as one of the standout matches of the opening round, with both nations aiming to begin their campaigns with a victory.
For Morocco, the challenge has become even greater following the loss of two influential players. However, Wahbi and his coaching staff will hope the newly selected replacements can help the team overcome the setbacks and make a positive start in what is expected to be a highly competitive group.
