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Rabat – Morocco winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli has been ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering a knee injury during the Atlas Lions’ final warm-up match against Norway.
The Real Betis forward has been replaced in Morocco’s squad by Amine Sbaï, according to the updated list registered with FIFA.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has not yet released an official statement, but FIFA’s updated squad list now includes Sbai among Morocco’s 26 players.
Ezzalzouli’s World Cup hopes were seriously damaged after he picked up a knee injury during Morocco’s 1-1 friendly draw against Norway.
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The winger was substituted at halftime, raising immediate concerns inside the national team camp only days before Morocco’s opening match against Brazil.
Medical checks later showed that the injury would require several weeks of rest, making his participation in the tournament unrealistic.
A major blow to Morocco’s attack
Ezzalzouli was expected to play an important role in Mohamed Ouahbi’s attacking setup.
His pace, dribbling, and ability to create danger in one-on-one situations made him one of Morocco’s key attacking options on the left side.
His absence forces the technical staff to rethink the team’s offensive balance ahead of the Brazil match.
Amine Sbai Called Up
Amine Sbai, who plays for SCO Angers in France, has been added to the squad as Ezzalzouli’s replacement.
Sbai was initially placed on Morocco’s reserve list and now joins the final squad at a crucial moment.
The winger offers a natural wide option and could help cover the gap left by Ezzalzouli, although Ouahbi also has other attacking solutions already inside the squad.
Ezzalzouli’s withdrawal comes less than 48 hours before Morocco’s first match of the tournament against Brazil.
Ezzalzouli is not the only late change in Morocco’s squad. Nayef Aguerd has also been ruled out after failing to recover full fitness in time, with Marwane Saadane named as his replacement.
