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Two new players in the Lions roster. Will they adapt quickly to the atmosphere?
The International Football Federation (FIFA) has announced that the Moroccan national team has left out the injured pair of Nayef Akrad and Abdel Samad Zalzouli due to injury and has included two others for the 2026 World Cup.
Zalzuli was injured in the Atlas Lions’ friendly against Norway last Sunday, which ended in a 1-1 draw in preparation for the World Cup.
Medical examinations revealed that The player of “Real Betis” suffered an injury to the medial collateral ligament of the kneeIt is a serious injury that requires a long rehabilitation period.
As for Akrad, he was still recovering from the injury that kept him out of Marseille since the end of last season and seemed unable to reach the necessary fitness.
On the other hand, Nasir Mazraoui remained in the final list of the Moroccan national team Although he suffered a shoulder injury in the Norway matchwhich means he is ready to take part in the tournament, as Anas Salah El-Din continued after doubts about his possibility to join.
FIFA has approved the inclusion of Marouane Sadan and Amine Seba in Morocco’s final World Cup squad.
Saudi Al-Fateh defender Marwan Sadan will replace Akrad and wear the number 5 shirt, while French Angers forward Amin Al-Sibay will replace Abdel Samad Al-Zalzouli in the number 17 shirt.
This change is in line with FIFA regulations, which allow teams to make changes to final rosters before the first match of the tournament, provided it is proven that a player has suffered a serious injury that prevents him from participating.
The absence of Akrad and Zalzouli is an important setback for the Moroccan team, given the important role expected in the Atlas Lions squad, forcing the technical staff to speed up the process of integrating the two replacements before the start of the competition in order to maintain the competitive level with which the team performed in the last tournament.
Morocco are set to compete in Group C at the 2026 World Cup, which includes Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, and will open their campaign in the early hours of next Sunday against the Seleção.
