Morocco star Abde Ezzalzouli’s injury casts doubt over Newcastle United move

Abdessamad Ezzalzouli’s anticipated move to Newcastle United has been thrown into serious uncertainty after the Moroccan winger suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) knee injury that has ruled him out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 24-year-old picked up the setback during Morocco’s final warm-up match ahead of the tournament, with medical examinations carried out shortly afterwards confirming the severity of the injury. The diagnosis has not only ended his World Cup participation but also raised fresh concerns over his short-term future at club level.

Following the confirmation of the injury, Ezzalzouli was officially withdrawn from Morocco’s squad for the tournament. He was replaced by Angers winger Amine Sbai, who has been drafted into the final squad as the national team reshapes its attacking options ahead of the global competition.

The injury is understood to require a lengthy recovery period, with rehabilitation expected to extend into the coming months. That timeline has created significant doubt over any immediate transfer activity involving the winger, particularly as interested clubs reassess his fitness and availability.

Among those monitoring the situation closely is English Premier League side Newcastle United, who had been exploring a potential move for the Moroccan international. However, reports suggest the club is now re-evaluating its plans before committing to any formal negotiations, given the uncertainty surrounding the player’s recovery timeline.

Ezzalzouli had been viewed as a promising attacking option due to his pace, direct dribbling and ability to operate in wide attacking roles. His performances at both club and international level had attracted growing attention across Europe, with Newcastle among several clubs tracking his progress.

The injury now represents a major setback for the winger at a crucial stage in his career. Missing the World Cup deprives him of a global platform to showcase his talent, while also complicating what had been expected to be a busy transfer window.

For Morocco, the loss is also a significant blow as the team prepares for a highly competitive World Cup campaign. Ezzalzouli had been expected to play an important role in the squad’s attacking structure before the injury ended his participation.

While Newcastle have not made any official statement on the situation, the club is believed to be assessing alternative options as they look to strengthen their attacking depth ahead of the new season. Any potential move for Ezzalzouli is now likely to depend on his recovery progress in the coming months.

For now, the focus for the winger will be on rehabilitation, with hopes of returning to full fitness and resuming his career trajectory once the injury has fully healed.