Morocco World Cup Squad Hit by Injuries: Who is Amine Sbai and How Will the Atlas Lions Line Up Against Brazil?
-
Dhivyanshu
- . June 12, 2026
- . Update: June 12, 2026 3:02 pm
The 2026 World Cup campaign for the Moroccan national team has been thrown into real chaos, just 48 hours before their first match. With the Morocco World Cup squad hit by injuries, the team has basically lost two crucial pillars, so now there are emergency tactical shifts close to their big Group C encounter. Since the Atlas Lions are set to play the five-time global champions, people everywhere are rushing to ask one thing: who is Amine Sbai, and how will the Atlas Lions line up against Brazil? Here is what you need, about the newest roster changes and the plan for this weekend’s major clash.
Double Injury Blow: Aguerd and Ezzalzouli Ruled Out
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said that starting center-back Nayef Aguerd and the explosive winger Abde Ezzalzouli (Ez Abde) have been taken out of the final 26-man squad, permanently, of course.
Reuters and other global sports updates report that Aguerd couldn’t get back to full readiness after a complicated groin injury, and it was made worse by a pubic bone fracture that happened more recently. At the same time, Ezzalzouli picked up a serious medial collateral ligament (MCL) knee sprain during a recent warm-up friendly against Norway. Losing these two veterans from their memorable 2022 semi-final journey is a huge blow, no doubt.
Because of that, FIFA has officially okayed the emergency registrations of 34-year-old defender Marwane Saadane and 25-year-old winger Amine Sbaï.
Who is Amine Sbai? Morocco’s Newest Attacking Threat
If you are kinda wondering who is Amine Sbai, honestly, you are not alone. Born in 2000, Mohamed Amine Sbaï is a really talented and very dynamic left-winger, and recently he has been making some waves, first with Angers SCO in the French Ligue 1, then later with Al Fateh in the Saudi Pro League.
- Pace and Creativity: What stands out is his incredible 1v1 dribbling, and also the way he can create decisive, almost sudden, moments even when the pressure is on. In that sense, Sbaï feels like a near like-for-like solution, ready to replace Ez Abde on that flank.
- Recent Form: Based on the player stats you can find and review on FotMob, he finished his last domestic season in strong shape, showing he can be trusted in the final third.
Taking over the number 17 jersey, Sbaï recently earned his first international cap, and he is expected to bring the Moroccan side a vital, explosive attacking spark, especially as a substitute who can change the rhythm.
How Will the Atlas Lions Line Up Against Brazil?
Without Aguerd’s elite airborne control and Ezzalzouli’s blistering width, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi is basically forced into this hard tactical shuffle. So like, how will the Atlas Lions line up against Brazil?
- A Rebuilt Defense: In the backline, leadership will lean mostly on Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi, plus Crystal Palace defender Chadi Riad. They’ll probably get help from that emergency call-up, Marwane Saadane, too, to create a grounded low block that’s meant to be sturdy, almost impossible to slip through, even with Brazil’s nonstop pressure up front.
- The Midfield Engine: Expect familiar anchors, Sofyan Amrabat being one of them, tasked with screening the defense. He’ll be covering, working constantly, to cut off those fast Brazilian counter-pushes that try to flow straight through the middle.
- The Attacking Setup: Going forward, Brahim Díaz—who found the net in the recent friendly—should become the main creative release. Amine Sbaï will likely begin on the bench, acting like a kind of quiet ace, to press advantage and pry open space once Brazil’s legs get heavy, usually late in the second half.
Preparing for the Group C Opener
The opening fixture is set for Saturday, June 13, at the iconic MetLife Stadium located in New Jersey. Going up against tournament favorites Brazil is already daunting, but trying it with a suddenly depleted squad, well, that takes an immense amount of mental fortitude. Fans who are attending in person or streaming can take a look at the official FIFA World Cup 2026 Portal for the newest matchday updates, referee assignments, and the latest group standings.
Meanwhile, the news about the Morocco World Cup squad being hit by injuries is honestly a bitter pill to swallow for many supporters. Still, this national team has a truly strong record of thriving when they are written off as underdogs. With fresher, hungry talent like Amine Sbaï ready to prove himself on the biggest stage, plus seasoned defensive veterans who know how to hold the line, the squad looks fiercely competitive. Everyone in football will be watching closely to see how exactly the Atlas Lions end up lining up against Brazil and whether they can pull off a miraculous outcome in their much-awaited opener.
FAQs
1. Why was the Morocco World Cup squad hit by injuries?
Veteran defender Nayef Aguerd had a pubic bone fracture, while the winger Abde Ezzalzouli got an MCL knee sprain during a recent warm-up match vs Norway. In the end, both players were ruled out for good of the tournament, no coming back or anything.
2. Who is Amine Sbai?
Mohamed Amine Sbaï is a 25-year-old professional winger, playing in Ligue 1 as well as the Saudi Pro League. He got brought in really fast, like a late-minute emergency stand-in, to fill the offensive space that Ezzalzouli left behind, more or less.
3. When is the Morocco vs Brazil match?
The Atlas Lions will kick things off in Group C versus Brazil on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in New Jersey.
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