Reports of Zalzouli's Absence from the World Cup Due to Injury

The Moroccan national team received a severe blow just days before the start of the 2026 World Cup, as their star Abdel Samad Zalzouli suffered a concerning injury during a friendly match against Norway following a collision with his teammate Shadi Riad.

According to the Spanish newspaper "Sport," initial medical examinations revealed that Zalzouli is suffering from a sprain in the medial collateral ligament of the knee, an injury that may require an absence of 3 to 4 weeks, meaning he will miss the tournament.

In a related context, the same match saw defender Noussair Mazraoui leave the field due to a shoulder injury, adding to the coaching staff's troubles ahead of the upcoming global event.

The Moroccan national team is preparing to play its opening match in the World Cup against Brazil on June 13, amid concerns about the impact of these injuries on the team's readiness at the start of its campaign.