Morocco’s World Cup Hopes in Jeopardy as European Clubs May Withhold Key Players

Vahid Halilhodzic could face Sudan and Guinea without the players playing in England and Spain such as Hakim Ziyech, Romain Saiss, Adam Masina, Youssef En-Nesiry, Yassine Bounou and Munir El Haddadi, reports Ahdath Al Maghribia}.

Their clubs cite the high rate of Covid-19 contamination in Morocco and the mandatory 10-day quarantine they will have to observe upon their return to Europe as an argument, which would be a loss for them. An uncomfortable situation for the coach of the national team who has often started these six players in the starting lineup. Morocco would find itself handicapped by the absence of six of its best elements, especially with the stakes of these two sporting encounters.

There is nothing left but to hope that the voice of FIFA will be heard by these clubs so that they release the 85 internationals they have in their ranks, and that they claim to want to protect against Covid-19 contamination. The world football body, through a statement from its president, has reminded European clubs that "the availability of players for the next 2022 World Cup qualifiers is a matter of utmost urgency and importance".