Visa Scare Delays Morocco’s El Ouahdi Before World Cup
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Morocco’s World Cup preparations were briefly unsettled after defender Zakaria El Ouahdi faced a visa issue that delayed his travel to the United States with the national team delegation.
Initial reports suggested that the player had been unable to join the squad because of complications related to his U.S. entry visa. However, later updates from Moroccan media indicated that the matter had been resolved and that El Ouahdi had received the required visa to join the Atlas Lions’ camp ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The timing of the issue drew attention because Morocco enters the tournament with high expectations after its historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Any administrative delay involving a national team player can affect preparation, squad planning and media focus in the final days before a major international competition.
El Ouahdi’s expected arrival gives Morocco a smoother path into the last stage of preparations, as the team looks to maintain focus on training and match readiness rather than off-field complications.
The case also highlights the pressure surrounding travel and visa procedures before a World Cup hosted across North America, where teams, federations and players must manage strict entry requirements alongside sporting preparations.
