World Cup 2026: Morocco defender Zakaria El Ouahidi misses USA trip over visa issues

Morocco’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have encountered an unexpected hurdle after defender Zakaria El Ouahidi failed to travel with the Atlas Lions delegation to the United States due to visa complications.

The Atlas Lions departed for the United States on Wednesday to continue preparations for the global tournament, but El Ouahidi was notably absent from the traveling party.

His absence has raised questions, particularly as Ali Maamar was included in the delegation despite not being named in either the final squad or the reserve list announced by head coach Mohamed Wahbi.

According to reports, El Ouahidi’s non-appearance is linked to an unresolved visa issue. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation is said to be working intensively to resolve the matter as quickly as possible to ensure the player join his teammates before the start of the World Cup.

The federation has yet to provide an official statement regarding the situation. Attempts to obtain clarification from officials concerning both El Ouahidi’s visa challenges and Maamar’s inclusion in the traveling delegation reportedly did not yield any public comment.

The unexpected development has forced Morocco’s technical staff to take precautionary measures as they seek to avoid any disruption to their World Cup plans. As a result, Ali Maamar traveled with the squad to the United States as a contingency option while federation officials continue efforts to secure a solution for El Ouahidi.

Sources indicate that the coaching staff is also assessing all available options in line with FIFA regulations should the situation remain unresolved. Any potential alteration to the final squad would need to comply with tournament rules, making the legal and administrative aspects of the case particularly important.

Maamar’s presence with the team had already attracted attention after he featured in Morocco’s friendly match against Madagascar on Tuesday. The defender’s participation came despite his omission from both the final World Cup squad and the secondary reserve list, fueling speculation that the coaching staff was preparing for unforeseen circumstances.

For coach Mohamed Wahbi and his staff, the priority remains ensuring the squad arrives at the tournament fully prepared and without unnecessary distractions. While there is optimism that El Ouahidi’s visa issue can be resolved in time, the federation’s decision to take Maamar demonstrates the importance of having contingency plans in place ahead of football’s biggest competition.

The coming days are expected to be crucial as Moroccan officials continue discussions aimed at securing the necessary travel clearance for El Ouahidi. Should the issue be resolved promptly, the defender is likely to join the squad in the United States and resume preparations alongside his teammates.

With Morocco aiming to build on recent international successes and make a strong impact at the 2026 World Cup, the federation will be eager to ensure that administrative obstacles do not affect the team’s ambitions on the global stage.