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As Scotland prepare to embark on their first World Cup campaign in 28 years, one of their group stage rivals has been dealt a major injury setback just before the tournament begins.

Steve Clarke’s squad will mark their return to the global stage for the first time since France ’98, when they take on Haiti in Boston in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Following that opener, the Scots will face Group C opponents Morocco and Brazil over the next ten days as they aim to progress beyond the group stage for the first time in their World Cup history.

For Clarke’s men to have any chance of advancing to the knockout rounds, a strong start against Haiti—currently ranked 83rd in FIFA’s world rankings—will be vital. A positive result there could set up a crucial clash with Morocco.

The North African side enter the competition as the seventh-ranked team in the world, having recently been crowned AFCON champions after Senegal were stripped of the title following a controversial final between the two nations in January.

One of Morocco’s standout performers during their AFCON campaign was Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli. However, in what could be an encouraging development for Scotland, the 24-year-old has emerged as a significant injury doubt just days before the World Cup kicks off.

Ezzalzouli was substituted at half-time during Morocco’s final warm-up match against Norway on Sunday after appearing to sustain a knee injury. Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui was also taken off after partially dislocating his shoulder.

While Mazraoui looks likely to recover in time for the tournament, the outlook for Ezzalzouli appears far less positive for the Atlas Lions.

The Betis winger had been tipped as one of the potential breakout stars of the competition, following a stellar season in Spain where he scored 15 goals and provided 13 assists from the left flank.

“What worries me the most is the injury to two of our players, Noussair Mazraoui and Abde Ezzalzouli. We are waiting for the results of the medical examinations,” Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi said after the 1-1 draw against Norway.

According to journalist Hanif Ben Berkane, Ezzalzouli has sustained a sprained internal knee ligament and is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks—an absence that would almost certainly rule him out of the entire tournament.

The Moroccan winger has also been linked with a move to Newcastle United as a potential replacement for Anthony Gordon, who completed a £70 million switch to Barcelona earlier this summer. Ezzalzouli, a former Barcelona academy graduate, enjoyed an impressive campaign at Betis, registering 15 goals and 13 assists.

Morocco are set to open their World Cup campaign against Brazil on Saturday evening at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and will conclude their group stage fixtures against Haiti on Wednesday, June 24.