Algerian international Youcef Atal faces a long road to recovery after suffering a serious Achilles injury during Al Sadd’s Super Shield clash against Shabab Al Ahli, putting his hopes of featuring in the 2026 World Cup in doubt.
The right-back endured a nightmare evening on the pitch, sustaining the injury late in the first half during what appeared to be a routine play.
Atal was stretchered off, clearly in pain, as Al Sadd secured the win without him. Initial scans have confirmed the severity of the injury, with media outlet WinWin reporting a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon.
This type of injury is career-impacting, typically requiring surgery followed by several months of intensive rehabilitation.
For Atal, who had just returned from representing Algeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the prognosis is bleak: he will miss the remainder of the 2025-2026 season and could be sidelined for up to a year.
The timing is particularly harsh. Atal had been targeting a spot in Algeria’s squad for his first World Cup, a goal made more achievable by the trust shown by national team coach Vladimir Petkovic, who had earmarked him as a potential option even if he was not a guaranteed starter.
فيديو خاص… شاهدوا ردة فعل مدرب #السد #روبرتو_مانشيني بعد إصابة #يوسف_عطال وخروجه برفقة المسعفين بين شوطي مباراة السوبر القطري-الإماراتي 🤕#السوبر_الإماراتي_القطري #شباب_الأهلي_السد pic.twitter.com/a1jAxjazU4
— winwin (@winwinallsports) January 24, 2026
With the tournament approaching, the injury raises serious doubts about his participation and represents a major setback for both player and country.
Al Sadd will now need to adjust without their key full-back, while Atal begins the grueling process of surgery and rehabilitation.
The recovery will be closely monitored, but experts suggest that full fitness could take the better part of a year, making a return in time for the World Cup increasingly unlikely.
The Algerian international, once a rising star at OGC Nice, now faces one of the most challenging periods of his career, as he battles both physical and emotional hurdles to return to top-level football.
