World Cup injury crisis: Morocco hit hardest as late replacements announced

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With the tournament just days away, a flurry of injury withdrawals has forced six nations to reshuffle their squads. Morocco suffers a double blow, while Argentina finally confirms their replacement for Leonardo Balerdi.

The final countdown to the World Cup has turned into a medical scramble for several teams, as FIFA’s 24-hour replacement rule comes into sharp focus. Under tournament regulations, any outfield player ruled unfit for their opening match can be swapped for a name from a pre-submitted provisional list—but only if the request is lodged before kickoff.

Here is the official, team-by-team breakdown of the latest roster changes.

🇲🇦 Morocco: The Atlas Lions lose two key men

Morocco has been dealt the heaviest blow, losing both a winger and a starting center-back just before their opener against Brazil.

· Out: Winger Abde Ezzalzouli (twisted knee ligament sustained in a friendly against Norway).
· In: Winger Amine Sbaï (Angers).
· Out: Center-back Nayef Aguerd (recurring groin injury that required surgery; sidelined since early March).
· In: Center-back Marwane Saadane (Al Fateh, Saudi Pro League).

🇧🇷 Brazil: Right-back heartbreak

Brazil’s defensive plans changed when 22-year-old Wesley limped off just 15 minutes into a warm-up match against Egypt. An MRI confirmed a torn adductor muscle in his left thigh.

· Out: Right-back Wesley.
· In: Midfielder Éderson (who is reportedly close to a £35m move to Manchester United after the tournament).

🇩🇪 Germany: Teenage prodigy sidelined

Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann expressed his regret after losing 18-year-old Lennart Karl. The Bayern Munich midfielder tore a muscle in his left thigh during a training session at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

· Out: Attacking midfielder/winger Lennart Karl (nine goals and eight assists this season).
· In: Midfielder Assan Ouédraogo (RB Leipzig, 20 years old).

🇦🇹 Austria: Rangnick forced to pivot

Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick has lost a key creative player but moved quickly to secure a replacement.

· Out: Attacking midfielder Christoph Baumgartner.
· In: Midfielder Dejan Ljubičić (Schalke).

🇳🇱 Netherlands: Timber ruled out on medical grounds

The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) confirmed that Arsenal’s Jurriën Timber had “not recovered sufficiently” from a groin injury to play “in a medically responsible manner,” despite featuring in the second half of the Champions League final.

· Out: Defender/full-back Jurriën Timber.
· In: Defender/full-back Lutsharel Geertruida (Sunderland, on loan from RB Leipzig).

🇦🇷 Argentina: Defending champions fill the void

After initially leaving the spot open, Argentina has now officially named their replacement for the injured Leonardo Balerdi. Manager Lionel Scaloni used the pre-World Cup friendly against Iceland to finalize his decision.

· Out: Center-back Leonardo Balerdi (muscle injury in training).
· In: Center-back Marcos Senesi (Tottenham Hotspur).

As the first ball is kicked, these late reshuffles will test the depth and adaptability of every side involved. For Morocco, the challenge is most severe—losing two starters just hours before facing Brazil.