Morocco Ezzalzouli Injury: Amine Sbaï Replacement Option Before Brazil

The injury to Abdessamad Ezzalzouli could force Morocco to revise its plans just days before its World Cup entry against Brazil. Hurt against Norway, the Moroccan winger left the match at halftime, leaving doubt about his participation in the tournament. There are concerns in the Moroccan camp following the exits of Ezzalzouli and Noussair Mazraoui in this last warm-up match.

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In case of complete withdrawal, FIFA still allows a team to replace an injured or ill player, provided the request is made no later than 24 hours before the team’s first match. The replacement must come from the provisional list sent to FIFA before the final list.

In Ezzalzouli’s case, the choice cannot be limited to calling an additional striker. The Betis player has often been favored on the left side by the Moroccan staff. His profile is particular: a winger capable of creating, cutting inside, changing pace and shooting with both feet. The ideal replacement must therefore be able to play in this capacity, or at least offer a similar solution on the left side.

By this logic, Amine Sbaï appears today as the most serious contender. His first advantage is administrative and sporting: he is already among the reserve players on Morocco’s final list. His second advantage is even more important: he has already been with the Lions of the Atlas for several days and has therefore participated in the preparation. For a staff, just days before a match against Brazil, this detail weighs heavily. Calling a player already integrated into the group avoids disrupting collective landmarks.

Sbaï also presents a profile closer to Ezzalzouli than several other names mentioned. He can play on a flank, bring intensity and fit into a position-for-position replacement logic. He doesn’t necessarily have the international experience of Sofiane Boufal, but he offers a more natural solution in the current context: available, already present, prepared with the group and identified as a backup solution.

Sofiane Boufal obviously remains a credible name on paper. His technical profile perfectly matches the need: dribbling, imbalance, experience, ability to play on the left. But his absence from the final list and his less immediate integration into the group work against him. In a World Cup that begins with Brazil, the staff could prioritize continuity rather than a more symbolic return.

Behind him, Othmane Maamma can represent a bolder option. He was called up during the preparation stage and offers an interesting attacking profile on the flanks. But launching him as Ezzalzouli’s replacement in this context would be a riskier choice. Rayane Bounida also possesses obvious technical qualities, but he seems to correspond more to a creator profile than a true natural replacement on the left wing.

Players like Yanis Begraoui, Soufiane Benjdida or Tawfik Bentayeb seem less suited to this specific need. They are rather axial profiles, useful for strengthening the attack, but less coherent for replacing a left winger like Ezzalzouli. The other players in the expanded list also meet other needs: defense, midfield or squad depth.

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The hierarchy thus seems to be taking shape as follows: Amine Sbaï as favorite, Sofiane Boufal as an experienced alternative, then Othmane Maamma and Rayane Bounida as younger options. But if Morocco seeks to replace Ezzalzouli without disrupting its preparation, the most logical choice today leads toward Sbaï.