Noussair Mazraoui plans retirement after 2026 World Cup to memorize Qur’an and become imam

Manchester United and Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui, 28, said the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be his last tournament before leaving professional football. He stated the decision is not driven by injury or form but by a desire to devote his life to Islam, specifically to memorize the Qur’an (hifz) and eventually serve as an imam. "Life is short. I want to memorize the Qur’an and become an Imam of a mosque one day," he told reporters in a March 2026 interview, a comment that resurfaced after Morocco’s World Cup matches. Mazraoui also announced a partnership with Wahed, an Islamic fintech platform, underscoring his shift toward faith‑based ventures. A video of him reciting Surah Al‑Dhuha went viral on social media, further highlighting his religious commitment. The player, born in the Netherlands and representing Morocco, remains a regular at Manchester United but has not set a firm retirement date, leaving the possibility of continuing his career beyond the tournament.