Morocco drew 1-1 with Norway in their final pre-tournament friendly on Sunday, a result overshadowed by injury concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Ibrahim Diaz gave Morocco the lead in the 8th minute, converting from close range with his right foot after a quick counter-attack and a precise cut-back from Abdessamad Ezzalzouli. The Atlas Lions controlled much of the first half and Ezzalzouli squandered a second chance in the 38th minute that would have put the game to bed before the break.
Norway captain Martin Odegaard levelled in the 75th minute, finishing left-footed from short range after a low cross from Oscar Bobb exposed poor positioning in Morocco’s defence.
The match carried a damaging subplot. Noussair Mazraoui, the Manchester United defender, came off in the 29th minute with a thigh problem after trying to play through pain, forcing coach Mohamed Wahoubi into an unplanned substitution. Ezzalzouli then went down near the end of the first half and left the pitch unable to walk normally, raising the possibility that he could miss part of the tournament.
Morocco open Group C against Brazil on June 14, with Scotland and Haiti also in the group. Norway face France in Group A alongside Iraq and Senegal. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, runs from June 11 to July 19 with 48 teams competing for the first time.
