Morocco announced on June 11, 2026, that defenders Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli would be replaced in their World Cup squad due to injury ahead of their Group C opener against Brazil at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on Saturday [1, 2].
Nayef Aguerd, 30, has not played since March after suffering a groin injury that required surgery, with a subsequent pubic bone fracture discovered during recovery further delaying his return [1, 2]. Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahabi decided Aguerd would not be ready in time for the tournament hosted in Canada, Mexico, and the United States [1, 2]. Aguerd was injured during Morocco's last-16 match against Spain in the previous World Cup and missed the following three games [1, 2].
Abde Ezzalzouli, 24, was injured in a recent friendly against Norway in Harrison, New Jersey, when teammate Chadi Riad landed awkwardly on his right knee [1, 2]. Both Aguerd and Ezzalzouli featured in Morocco's squads that reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2026 [1, 2].
Marwane Saadane, 34, who debuted for Morocco in 2015 but has been an infrequent squad member, and 25-year-old winger Amine Sbai, who earned his first cap in a warm-up friendly against Burundi earlier this year, have been called up as replacements [1, 2]. Saadane had been training with the squad in the U.S. and appeared as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Norway, while Sbai was on the bench for that match [1, 2].
Morocco's next challenge is their opening Group C match against Brazil, scheduled for Saturday at the New York/New Jersey Stadium [1, 2]. Coach Ouahabi will finalize his starting eleven following the squad changes ahead of kickoff.