The national team’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup are facing fresh complications following the disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign, with several key players expected to miss the March training camp.
The camp, which precedes two friendly matches against Ecuador and Paraguay in Spain and France, respectively, is intended to play a crucial role in shaping the team’s readiness for the global tournament.
Scheduled at a delicate stage of the build-up, the March camp is seen by the technical staff as a vital opportunity to evaluate players’ physical and technical conditions.
It is also meant to address shortcomings that surfaced during the Atlas Lions’ recent AFCON outing and to broaden the pool of options available ahead of the summer’s World Cup finals.
According to Al-Sabah newspaper in its Tuesday edition, the participation of several influential players in the upcoming friendlies remains uncertain due to injury concerns, particularly among those who have undergone surgical procedures.
The report names Hamza Ikman, goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi, Sofyan Amrabat and Romain Saïss as players whose availability is in doubt.
Saïss is still recovering from the injury he sustained against Comoros in Morocco’s opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations, which was hosted by Morocco from December 21 to January 18.
In a similar situation, Nayef Aguerd is once again struggling with fitness issues despite being a regular presence during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The defender has recently missed matches for Olympique Marseille after suffering an adductor muscle injury, a problem that has clearly disrupted his physical condition and technical consistency.
Aguerd’s ongoing health concerns are reportedly causing anxiety within the technical staff, particularly given the length of time he has been battling the same issue. His situation raises doubts over his readiness for upcoming challenges, with the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico chief among them.
Al-Sabah further reported that head coach Walid Regragui is weighing a number of new decisions to mitigate the impact of possible absences, starting with the friendly matches against Ecuador and Paraguay.
These moves are aimed at covering gaps in certain positions while correcting the tactical imbalances that became evident during the team’s last AFCON appearance.
The same sources indicated that the technical staff is keen on widening its selection options by offering opportunities to players who are delivering strong and consistent performances with their clubs, particularly in European competitions.
Within this framework, the door remains open for Othman Maama, winner of the Best Player award at the 2025 Youth World Cup in Chile, should he maintain his impressive form with Watford in England.
Ismail Baouf of Cambuur in the Netherlands and Yassine Zabiri, who recently joined Rennes in France, are also under consideration, alongside the potential return of Shadi Riad to the national team after reclaiming a starting role with Crystal Palace.
