Morocco switches goalkeepers before kick-off vs Belgium

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Belgium vs. Morocco, Group F, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar, November 27, 2022 Amadou Onana of Belgium and Munir El Kajoui of Morocco compete in a match. Amr Abdallah Dalsh for Reuters

Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Group F – Belgium v Morocco – Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar – November 27, 2022 Morocco’s Sofyan Amrabat in action with Belgium’s Michy Batshuayi REUTERS/Matthew Childs

Reuters, DOHA, November 27 – Before the start of their World Cup Group F match against Belgium, Morocco substituted goalkeeper Munir El Kajoui with Yassine Bounou, who had looked to get ill.

After performing the national anthem with his teammates and being chosen for the starting lineup, Bounou was spotted having a lengthy conversation with Mexican referee Cesar Ramos.

El Kajoui then showed up for the pre-game squad photo and replaced Bounou as the match began at the Al Thumama Stadium.

A tweet from the Moroccan Football Federation shortly after kickoff stated: “Munir El Kajoui replaces Yassine Bounou for this match against Belgium,” providing no immediate explanation for the late substitution.

Bounou was captured in images from the stadium hunched over and bracing his hands on his knees.