Overview
- Morocco confirmed on Thursday that Abde Ezzalzouli and Nayef Aguerd have been withdrawn from its World Cup squad for medical reasons and were replaced by Amine Sbai and Marwane Saadane.
- Ezzalzouli was ruled out after suffering a knee sprain in the friendly versus Norway and failed to recover in time for the tournament.
- Aguerd has been sidelined since a groin injury on March 4, underwent surgery and then had complications including a pubis fracture and bone inflammation that ended his World Cup chances.
- The Moroccan federation submitted the changes at the FIFA deadline that allows injury replacements up to 24 hours before a team’s first match.
- Analysts and betting markets treat a draw as a defensible outcome for Saturday’s Group C opener at MetLife Stadium and name Brahim Díaz a value scoring bet given Morocco’s form and Brazil’s recent uncertainties.