Morocco have been forced to make two changes to their World Cup squad after winger Abde Ezzalzouli and defender Nayef Aguerd were ruled out through injuries ahead of the team's opening match against Brazil.
FIFA confirmed late Wednesday that Ezzalzouli and Aguerd had withdrawn from the tournament squad.
Ezzalzouli, formerly of Barcelona and currently with Real Betis, played a key role in helping the Spanish club secure qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League. He had also been viewed as one of Morocco’s potential standout performers at the World Cup.
Aguerd, who plays for French club Marseille, was an important member of Morocco’s squad that reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first African nation to achieve the feat.
Morocco have called up Amine Sbaï of French side Angers and Marwane Saadane of Saudi club Al Fateh as replacements.
The North African side will begin their World Cup campaign against Brazil on Saturday at MetLife Stadium near New York. They will then face Scotland on June 19 near Boston before concluding their Group C fixtures against Haiti on June 24 in Atlanta.
Ezzalzouli sustained a right knee injury during a warm-up match against Norway last weekend. Initial medical assessments had suggested he might remain in the squad and potentially feature in the knockout stages, but the injury ultimately forced his withdrawal.