2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Noussair Mazraoui to be left out Morocco squad due to injury

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui has voiced concern over the persistent injury troubles of Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui, who has once again been ruled out of international duty.

The 26-year-old full-back will miss the Atlas Lions’ upcoming camp in October, which includes a friendly against Bahrain and a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Congo.

Mazraoui’s fitness problems have become a recurring theme, having already forced him to sit out Morocco’s training camps in June and September.

His struggles also overshadowed his appearances at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

According to sources close to the Moroccan camp, Regragui has begun making contingency plans ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted in Morocco.

“Mazraoui’s situation has prompted the coach to prepare alternatives in case of any emergency,” the source revealed.

Defenders Abdelkader Belamri, Sofiane El Karouani, and Youssef El Khadim are understood to be on standby to step in should Mazraoui’s injury woes persist.