Mazraoui Cleared for Brazil Clash as Morocco Begins World Cup Campaign

Morocco's preparations for the 2026 World Cup have been bolstered by positive developments on the injury front. Defender Noussair Mazraoui has made a successful recovery and is approaching full fitness ahead of the team's opening fixture against Brazil.

Manchester United's official channels confirmed that Mazraoui has rejoined his national team's group training sessions. The fullback had been sidelined from collective drills following a shoulder injury picked up during a friendly encounter with Norway, during which time he undertook isolated gym-based rehabilitation work as a precautionary step.

The Moroccan national team's medical team maintained close monitoring of Mazraoui's progress throughout his recovery, conducting thorough assessments that have yielded encouraging signs. Medical staff have indicated that the defender is on track to feature in the highly anticipated Group C showdown with Brazil at MetLife Stadium.

Brazil, meanwhile, will look to deploy attacking reinforcements from Manchester United's squad, with Casemiro and Matheus Cunha expected to play significant roles in what promises to be one of the tournament's standout opening matches.

Group C presents a competitive landscape, with Haiti and Scotland rounding out the quartet of nations vying for advancement. The four teams will battle for the two qualification spots available to the knockout stage, with expectations of closely contested matches throughout the group phase.