Sofiane Boufal, the Moroccan winger, was notably absent from the final 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The decision was made by head coach Walid Regragui, who cited Boufal's recent injury and lack of match fitness as key factors.
Boufal had been struggling with a thigh injury that kept him out of action for several weeks leading up to the tournament. Regragui emphasized the need for players who were fully fit and ready to compete at the highest level.
The exclusion was a surprise to some fans, given Boufal's impressive performances for Morocco in previous qualifiers. However, the coach prioritized form and fitness over past contributions.
Boufal's absence opened the door for other attacking players like Hakim Ziyech and Ilias Chair to take on more responsibility in the squad.
