Youcef Belaïli injury cripples Algeria’s AFCON 2026 plans
Algeria will enter the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations without one of their most influential attacking forces after Youcef Belaïli suffered a season-ending knee injury while playing club football in Tunisia.
The 33-year-old winger, who plays for Espérance Tunis, ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee during a high-intensity derby against Club Africain.
A heavy challenge midway through the first half left him grounded in visible pain.
Medical staff rushed onto the pitch, and within moments the winger exited the field with a pronounced limp.
His removal in the 21st minute triggered immediate fears about long-term damage, and subsequent scans confirmed the worst possible outcome.
The injury guarantees his absence from AFCON 2026, which kicks off in Morocco on 21 December and concludes on 18 January 2026.
The loss lands as a major shock for Algeria, who count on his creativity, unpredictability and big-game experience in international tournaments.
With 58 caps and 10 senior goals, Belaïli sits among the country’s most dependable attacking profiles of the last decade.
Coach Vladimir Petković now faces an urgent reshuffle of his forward plans.
The Algerian squad, known for its technical vibrancy and wide attacking rotations, built several tactical patterns around Belaïli’s ability to unsettle defenders, deliver from tight angles, and generate sudden attacking momentum.
His absence removes not only a source of goals, but one of Algeria’s strongest outlets for chance creation and transition.
The setback also stretches beyond AFCON. The winger now faces a lengthy period of rehabilitation that impacts his readiness for 2026 World Cup preparations.
Algeria view the World Cup cycle as a priority campaign, but his fitness timeline casts doubt over his involvement when qualifiers and tournament preparations intensify later in the year.
Belaïli’s injury arrives at a difficult moment for Algeria, who continue to search for rhythm and stability at international level.
His influence in dressing rooms, late-game composure and familiarity with North African tournament environments marked him as a trusted asset during knockout-stage pressures. The timing amplifies the magnitude of the blow.
Supporters reacted with disappointment across social platforms, many pointing to his importance in unlocking defences when conventional build-up stalls.
Teammates and club figures at Espérance Tunis echoed the sentiment, sharing messages of encouragement as he begins a challenging rehabilitation journey.
Algeria now turn attention to alternative attacking solutions, with limited time to rebuild chemistry before continental competition begins in Morocco.
الاتحاد الجزائري لكرة القدم وعلى رأسه السيد وليد صادي، كل أطقم المنتخب الوطني بقيادة الناخب الوطني فلاديمير بيتكوفيتش، يتمنون الشفاء العاجل للاعبنا الدولي يوسف بلايلي#LesVerts⭐⭐ | #123vivalAlgérie🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/CzbI3iWoEK
— Équipe d’Algérie de football (@LesVerts) November 10, 2025
