Morocco's preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have hit a significant setback. Key defender Noussair Mazraoui is confirmed to miss the national team's high-profile friendly match against Brazil on June 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The Bayern Munich full-back is sidelined with a persistent muscular injury.
The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced that Mazraoui will remain at his club for treatment and rehabilitation. His absence from the crucial pre-tournament test against a strong Brazilian side, featuring players like Vinícius Júnior, is a major concern for coach Mohamed Ouahbi as he finalizes his squad.
Mazraoui's availability for the World Cup itself, which begins on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City, is now in serious doubt. Medical reports indicate his recovery timeline is tight, leaving his participation uncertain. The Atlas Lions are placed in Group F alongside Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the winner of a yet-to-be-determined intercontinental playoff.
Coach Ouahbi must now evaluate alternative options in defense ahead of the team's final squad submission deadline. The friendly against Brazil was intended as a key tactical rehearsal, and Mazraoui's absence forces a last-minute adjustment to the team's defensive plans.
