Morocco's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have suffered a significant setback after winger Abde Ezzalzouli was diagnosed with a knee ligament injury that could rule him out of the group stage of the tournament.
The Real Betis star sustained the injury during Morocco’s recent friendly match against Norway, forcing concerns within the Atlas Lions camp just days before the start of the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Medical Tests Confirm Knee Ligament Injury
According to reports from sources close to the Moroccan national team, additional medical examinations revealed that Ezzalzouli suffered a moderate knee ligament sprain.
The injury is expected to keep the 24-year-old out of action for between two and four weeks, casting serious doubt over his availability for Morocco’s opening matches of the competition.
The winger was forced off during the 1-1 draw with Norway, and subsequent assessments confirmed the extent of the setback.
Group Stage in Jeopardy
Medical projections suggest that Ezzalzouli will miss at least the opening phase of the tournament, making his participation in the group stage highly unlikely.
Morocco face a challenging group featuring Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, with Ezzalzouli originally expected to play a key role in the team's attacking plans following an impressive season with Real Betis.
If recovery progresses as expected, the winger could potentially return for the knockout rounds should Morocco advance beyond the group stage.
Mohamed Ouahbi Takes Calculated Risk
Despite the injury, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has reportedly decided to keep Ezzalzouli in Morocco’s final World Cup squad rather than replace him before the tournament begins.
The decision reflects the coaching staff’s belief in the player's importance and their hope that he will recover in time to contribute during the latter stages of the competition.
Keeping an injured player in the squad represents a calculated gamble, particularly given Morocco’s difficult path through the group stage.
Key Player for Morocco’s Ambitions
Ezzalzouli has become one of Morocco’s most dangerous attacking weapons thanks to his pace, dribbling ability, and creativity in the final third.
His absence would deprive the Atlas Lions of one of their most dynamic offensive threats at a crucial stage of the tournament, increasing the pressure on the rest of the squad to deliver results against elite opposition.
With Morocco aiming to build on its recent international success and make another deep World Cup run, all eyes will now be on Ezzalzouli’s recovery timeline and whether he can return in time to make an impact when the knockout rounds begin.
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