Sofyan Amrabat injury delivers another blow to Morocco ahead of World Cup qualifiers

Morocco’s preparations for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures have been dealt a fresh setback with the withdrawal of Sofyan Amrabat.

The Real Betis midfielder, a cornerstone of Walid Regragui’s side, has been ruled out indefinitely after sustaining an injury in European competition.

The 29-year-old suffered a heavy collision during Betis’ Europa League encounter with Ludogorets on Thursday, which forced him to leave the pitch.

A medical update issued by the Andalusian club on Saturday confirmed the extent of the damage, revealing that Amrabat is suffering from a post-contusive myofascial injury to the right rectus femoris muscle.

Betis added that no timeline for his recovery will be provided until his progress is more clearly understood.

For Regragui, the absence of one of his most reliable midfielders creates a serious headache just weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.

Morocco are already without Noussair Mazraoui, Azzedine Ounahi, Soufiane Rahimi and Chadi Riad through injury, leaving the Atlas Lions significantly weakened in key areas ahead of crucial qualifiers.

Amrabat has long been a driving force in Morocco’s midfield, offering defensive resilience and leadership that has become central to the team’s recent successes.

Losing such a presence at a critical stage of qualifying threatens to unsettle the balance of a side with high expectations from both supporters and pundits.

Yet amid the setback lies an opportunity for Morocco’s emerging generation.

Oussama Targhalline, recalled after missing the previous training camp, could now be in line for an expanded role.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who has been on the fringes of the squad, is viewed as one of the country’s promising talents and may find this window to establish himself on the international stage.

Regragui’s challenge will be to rebuild his midfield core without sacrificing fluidity or intensity, particularly as Morocco looks to maintain its strong start in qualifying.

With the home crowd’s expectations soaring ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Atlas Lions will need both tactical adaptability and fresh leadership to weather this period of absences.

Amrabat’s injury may have disrupted Morocco’s immediate plans, but it also signals the beginning of a test of depth and resilience for a team aiming to cement its status as one of Africa’s elite on the road to the 2026 World Cup.