What happened: The Royal Moroccan Football Federation confirmed that forward Abde sustained a sprain to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee. The federation announced the injury on the eve of the 2026 World Cup.
Why it matters: Losing a forward immediately before a major tournament strains Morocco's attacking depth and forces the coaching staff to reshape their plans at the worst possible moment. The timing leaves little room to integrate a replacement or recover the player for the early stages of the competition.
By the numbers: The injury is a sprain to the medial collateral ligament of the right knee; MCL sprains commonly require multiple weeks of recovery depending on severity.
What to watch: Watch for the federation's recovery timeline and whether Abde is ruled out for the group stage or replaced in the squad.