World Cup 2026: Noussair Mazraoui remains Morocco’s only injury concern before Brazil clash

Moroccan has finalized its comprehensive medical report ahead of its high-stakes tournament opener against Brazil at MetLife Stadium, leaving defender Noussair Mazraoui as the lone remaining fitness concern within the active 26-man tournament squad.

Head coach Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed to reporters that the absolute rest of the available roster has been officially cleared for selection following an intense training camp in the United States, bringing much-needed stability to a squad selection process that was previously marred by high-profile medical withdrawals.

Mazraoui Remains Sole Doubt

Mazraoui’s physical status had been under intense scrutiny after he suffered a painful shoulder subluxation just 29 minutes into Morocco’s final warm-up friendly against Norway.

Despite initial fears that the partial shoulder dislocation would completely sideline him for the tournament opener, team doctors have cleared the versatile fullback to participate in final group training sessions.

While he remains the camp’s only official active injury doubt, technical staff are highly optimistic that he will recover sufficiently to secure his place in the starting eleven against the South American giants.

Defensive Restructuring Completed

The positive training update provides immense relief to Morocco’s backline, which has already undergone forced restructuring due to severe structural injuries ahead of the match.

Veteran center-back Nayef Aguerd was completely cut from the tournament roster after a pubic bone fracture disrupted his recovery from a previous major groin surgery.

To fill the crucial void left by Aguerd and the international retirement of regular captain Romain Saïss, Morocco has integrated Al Fateh defender Marwane Saâdane into the squad, leaning on Crystal Palace’s Chadi Riad and former French youth international Issa Diop to stabilize the central defense.

Roster Replacements Finalized

Further complicating the tournament buildup was the loss of star winger Abde Ezzalzouli, who sustained a painful medial collateral ligament (MCL) knee sprain during a heavy aerial collision in the same Norway friendly.

Although the Moroccan medical staff chose to keep Ezzalzouli physically present in the camp to undergo rehabilitation for potential knockout-stage appearances, he has been officially replaced on the active tournament list by Angers winger Amine Sbaï, meaning Ezzalzouli is legally ineligible to feature anywhere in the upcoming group phase.

Clean Bill of Health Elsewhere

With those official roster replacements finalized, Morocco’s medical staff reported that the remaining players in the United States training camp are in peak physical condition.

Captain Achraf Hakimi has completely shaken off a previous thigh injury that limited his minutes with Paris Saint-Germain, proving his fitness by playing a commanding 65 minutes against Norway.

The general health of the remaining squad members is highly encouraging, ensuring no further surprise absences for the Atlas Lions as they finalize tactical preparations.

Opponents Face Own Crisis

Morocco’s consolidated fitness status arrives at a time when Brazil is managing its own severe medical crisis.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti will navigate the opening fixture without key starters Éder Militão, Rodrygo, and talisman Neymar, who is sidelined with a grade-two calf injury.

Morocco now moves into its Group C opener with total clarity on its personnel, counting on Mazraoui’s late fitness test to finalize an otherwise fully healthy squad ready to compete on the world stage.