Morocco have dismissed reports linking striker Youssef En-Nesyri with a surprise return to the Atlas Lions squad following the injury suffered by winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speculation emerged after Ezzalzouli was forced off during Morocco’s recent friendly draw against Norway, with suggestions that head coach Mohamed Ouahbi was considering calling up the experienced forward as a replacement.
However, sources close to the Moroccan national team have firmly denied those claims, describing reports of En-Nesyri’s potential inclusion as inaccurate.
According to information relayed by local media, the former Sevilla striker was not included in Morocco’s extended preliminary squad submitted to FIFA before the tournament. As a result, he is not eligible to be drafted into the squad at this stage.
Instead, Morocco’s coaching staff are expected to select any replacement from the pool of players already named in the provisional list submitted ahead of the competition.
Current indications suggest that Sofiane Boufal and Othmane Maamma are the leading candidates should Morocco decide to replace Ezzalzouli in the final squad.
The preference appears to be for a player who can operate in a similar attacking role rather than bringing in a traditional centre-forward. Such a move would allow the Atlas Lions to maintain tactical balance and preserve their attacking structure on the left flank.
Ezzalzouli’s injury has become a significant concern for Morocco as they enter the final days before their World Cup opener, with the winger regarded as an important option in Ouahbi’s attacking plans.
Despite widespread discussion surrounding En-Nesyri’s name, Morocco’s technical staff remain focused on evaluating alternatives already identified before the tournament.
For now, Boufal and Maamma remain the strongest contenders to fill any vacancy created by Ezzalzouli’s injury, while En-Nesyri appears set to remain outside Morocco’s World Cup plans.
