Mazraoui and Ezzalzouli doubts as Morocco brace for Brazil opener

Brazil up next, and the injuries are piling up

Morocco open their 2026 World Cup campaign against Brazil on Saturday, and the squad is not where you want it to be. Noussair Mazraoui and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli both came off injured in the 1–1 draw with Norway, and their status for the Group C opener is now a genuine concern.

Walid Regragui's side built their 2022 semifinal run on defensive steel, but facing Vinicius Junior, Endrick, and Raphinha without a fully fit backline is a different kind of test. Brazil named a stacked squad under Carlo Ancelotti, this is the heavyweight clash of the group, and it is happening right out of the gate. (1) (6)

The mood: ready, but realistic

The 2022 semifinal shocked the world. This time, Morocco arrive with expectations rather than anonymity. Analyst Said Hamdane has set the target at quarterfinals minimum, and the camp knows the surprise factor is gone.

The draw with Norway showed both sides, Brahim Díaz opened the scoring with real quality, but the defensive lapses that let Martin Ødegaard equalize cannot repeat against Brazil's front line. Regragui's system is built to frustrate big teams, and that is exactly what you need Saturday. (7)

Fan reactions

Morocco supporters are split between quiet confidence and genuine worry about the injuries. The consensus is that a point against Brazil would be a statement, but losing Mazraoui changes the defensive calculus entirely. Most fans still believe this group is deep enough to cause problems. Follow the conversation