Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui has suffered an injury scare just days before the start of the World Cup. The versatile defender started at left-back for Morocco in their final pre-tournament warm-up friendly against Norway in New York on Sunday, but lasted only 29 minutes before being replaced by Youssef Belammari.
Shoulder issue raises concerns
Mazraoui sustained a shoulder problem and is set to undergo tests to determine the severity of the injury. Morocco, managed by Mohamed Ouahbi, are due to open their Group C campaign against record five-time World Cup winners Brazil in New Jersey on Saturday, June 13. They will then face Scotland in Boston on June 19, before meeting Haiti in Atlanta on June 24.
Double injury blow for Morocco
To make matters worse for the Atlas Lions, winger Abde Ezzalzouli also picked up an injury during the 1-1 draw with Norway. The Real Betis winger, formerly of Barcelona, sustained a knee problem and was replaced by Soufiane Rahimi at half-time at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Like Mazraoui, he will now undergo medical examinations to determine his fitness for the Brazil match.
The friendly ended 1-1 after an early goal from Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz was cancelled out with 15 minutes remaining by Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.
Mazraoui's club and international context
Mazraoui's new Manchester United teammate Ederson has been called up to the Brazil squad by head coach Carlo Ancelotti as a replacement for the injured Wesley. Morocco head into their sixth World Cup with high expectations, having become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals four years ago in Qatar. They defeated Belgium, Spain, and Portugal before losing to France in the last four and then falling to Croatia in the third-place play-off.
Morocco are technically the reigning champions of Africa, having been belatedly declared winners of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil in March. Senegal, who beat them 1-0 after extra time in a chaotic final two months earlier, were controversially stripped of their title by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after briefly walking off the pitch following a disputed late penalty. Senegal have since paraded the trophy defiantly and appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). They are also at the World Cup finals in North America this summer, competing in Group I alongside France, Norway, and Iraq.
