Morocco replace injured Neil El Aynaoui with World Cup squad member Samir El Mourabet

Neil El Aynaoui has withdrawn from Morocco’s squad because of an ankle injury, with Samir El Mourabet called up to replace him for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers against Niger.

The two sides meet in Casablanca on 13 November before playing the return fixture in Rabat on 17 November. The matches form Morocco’s third and fourth qualifying games for CAN 2027.

El Aynaoui, who plays for Leipzig and previously represented Lens, was given permission to leave the national-team camp by head coach Mohamed Ouahbi. His departure was confirmed by a statement from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) on Thursday.

The midfielder’s withdrawal adds to a growing list of absentees for Morocco. Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi, Azzedine Ounahi and Soufiane El-Faouzi were already missing from the original squad because of injuries.

El Mourabet, of Strasbourg, has been brought into the group at short notice. The midfielder has been involved in every Morocco camp since Ouahbi took charge, having first been called up in March.

He was also selected for the World Cup last summer, although he did not play during Morocco’s September-October fixtures. The 2026 World Cup squad member is now hoping to return to the pitch for his first appearance with the Lions de l’Atlas since 4 July.

That last outing came in the World Cup last-16 match against Canada, which Morocco lost 3-0.