Morocco’s 2026 World Cup campaign just got significantly harder before a single whistle has blown. The Moroccan Football Federation confirmed on June 10 that defender Nayef Aguerd and forward Ez Abde have been ruled out of the tournament due to injury, with Marwane Saadane and Amine Sbai stepping in as replacements.

The timing could not be worse. Morocco’s opening match against Brazil is scheduled roughly three days after the announcement, leaving coach Mohamed Ouahbi almost no time to integrate new players into the squad’s tactical framework.

What happened to Aguerd and Ez Abde

Aguerd’s absence has been building for months. The Olympique de Marseille defender has been sidelined since early March 2026 with a groin injury that required surgery. Making matters worse, a pubic bone fracture was discovered in April, effectively ending any realistic chance of him participating in the World Cup.

Ez Abde’s situation is arguably more frustrating because of how close he came to being fit. The Real Betis forward suffered an MCL sprain during a pre-tournament friendly, and initial medical assessments were reportedly reassuring. The knee ultimately failed to recover at the pace required for World Cup-level competition, and the federation made the call to remove him from the squad rather than risk carrying a player who might not be fully available.

Who are the replacements

Marwane Saadane, who plays for Al Fateh SC, comes into the squad as one of the two registered replacements. Amine Sbai of Angers SCO is the other. Both players received official FIFA approval to join Morocco’s squad list around June 10.

Coach Ouahbi confirmed the injury-related changes after closely monitoring both Aguerd’s and Ez Abde’s recoveries. His public stance has reportedly blended concern with confidence in the new selections.

What this means for Morocco’s World Cup campaign

The replacement window in FIFA tournaments is narrow and governed by strict medical protocols, which means the federation had to move quickly to document the injuries, secure medical clearances, and register the new players before the administrative deadline. The fact that approvals came through on approximately the same date as the announcement suggests the process was handled efficiently behind the scenes.

Ouahbi now has a full 26-man roster heading into the Brazil match, but it is a roster with two unfamiliar names in positions that previously belonged to proven international performers.