馃嚥馃嚘MoroccoNorth Africa
Morocco national team faces injury concerns ahead of Brazil match, Ezzalzouli's World Cup participation in doubt
via Le Matin2 min read
The Morocco national team, led by Mohamed Ouahbi, is grappling with several injury concerns as they prepare for their upcoming match against Brazil. Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, a key winger for the Atlas Lions, is a major worry after sustaining a right leg injury during a match against Norway. Initial examinations, according to "Foot Mercato," suggest a sprained internal knee ligament, potentially sidelining him for three to four weeks. This timeframe could rule him out of the World Cup, a significant blow given his recent strong performances in Morocco's offense. Noussair Mazraoui also left the Norway match due to a shoulder impact, but Mohamed Ouahbi stated in a press conference that it is a contusion and no serious injury was detected, making him likely available for the Brazil game. Additionally, Nayef Aguerd and Chamseddine Talbi are continuing their recovery protocols from previous injuries, with Aguerd recently rejoining collective training. Anass Salah-Eddine's absence from the Norway match lineup, after playing against Madagascar, has raised questions, though no official communication has confirmed a serious injury. With the Brazil match scheduled for June 13, the coming days are crucial for the Moroccan technical staff to assess the fitness of these players. Speculation about potential reinforcements from the extended squad, including Sofiane Boufal and Maamma, is circulating in case of confirmed withdrawals.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
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The market value of Morocco's Atlas Lions has reached a historic high of 512.7 million euros, according to Transfermarkt, following their performance in the 2026 World Cup. This figure represents a significant increase from under 300 million euros in 2022, nearly doubling in four years due to the emergence of a new generation of players and their growing presence in major European leagues. Ayyoub Bouaddi, an 18-year-old midfielder, saw his valuation rise by 30 million euros to 80 million euros, making him, alongside Achraf Hakimi, the most valuable Moroccan player in the national team's history. Isma毛l Saibari, a midfielder for Bayern Munich, also experienced a substantial increase, with his market value now at 55 million euros, up from 40 million. Neil El Aynaoui, Chadi Riad, and Azzedine Ounahi also saw their valuations increase to 30 million, 20 million, and 18 million euros, respectively. This 512.7 million euro valuation is based solely on the 26 players selected for the 2026 World Cup. If other key players who did not participate, such as Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Hamza Igamane, Nayef Aguerd, and Eliesse Ben Seghir, were included, the total market value of the Atlas Lions would exceed 600 million euros. This growth highlights the team's unprecedented rise, driven by a mix of experienced players and young talents sought after by top European clubs, and reflects their individual performances during the World Cup and consistent player development.
Morocco has launched its first national program to combat gender-based stereotypes, initiated with the support of the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA. The program aims to promote equality and fight all forms of discrimination against women by mobilizing institutional actors, civil society, and the media, and strengthening collective commitment. It is structured around five strategic areas: family, education, media and digital space, work and economic participation, and public space and citizenship. It also includes priority measures and mechanisms for governance, monitoring, and evaluation. Na茂ma Ben Yahia, Minister of Solidarity, Social Inclusion and Family, stated that the program is a significant milestone in the societal project championed by King Mohammed VI to advance justice, equality, and equal opportunities. She added that it seeks to raise awareness and embed a culture of equality between women and men, while strengthening Moroccan women's rights and ensuring their rightful place in society. Abdeljabbar Rachidi, Secretary of State for Social Inclusion, emphasized that building an equitable society requires not only laws and public policies, but also an evolution of thought patterns, mental representations, and cultural transformation to counter stereotypes and deconstruct prejudices. He noted Morocco's progress in promoting equality due to Royal Directives, constitutional provisions, and international commitments, calling for continued mobilization and accelera