Algeria will be without defender Rayan Aït-Nouri for their September World Cup qualifying fixtures after the left-back sustained an ankle injury in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old was forced off after just 20 minutes during his club’s match against Tottenham.
Subsequent medical tests confirmed that he will be sidelined for around three weeks, ruling him out of national duty.
The setback comes at a crucial time for coach Vladimir Petkovic, who had counted on the Wolverhampton Wanderers full-back as a cornerstone of his defensive system.
Aït-Nouri’s absence means Algeria will head into two vital fixtures in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign without one of their most reliable options on the left flank.
Algeria are scheduled to host Botswana on 4 September before facing Guinea away four days later in Morocco.
Both matches are considered decisive as the Greens seek to secure an early advantage in their qualification group.
For Manchester City, who had also been linked with close monitoring of Aït-Nouri’s progress, the news is equally unwelcome, though the main blow is felt at international level.
Petkovic’s tactical plans will now require adjustment, with the coach expected to reshuffle his defensive line to compensate for the absence.
Aït-Nouri has steadily become a key figure in Algeria’s squad, known for his pace, attacking contribution and defensive reliability.
His absence is likely to be felt not only in defence but also in transitions, where his overlaps and forward runs often help stretch opposition backlines.
While the injury is not long term, the timing could hardly be worse.
Algeria are entering a decisive phase of their qualifying campaign, and momentum will be essential.
Losing a player of Aït-Nouri’s calibre at such a stage presents both a tactical and psychological challenge for the squad.
For the player himself, the enforced layoff is another setback in a season where he had begun to establish consistency in both domestic and international football.
His focus will now be on recovery, with hopes of returning in time for October fixtures.
As Algeria prepare for September’s clashes, the responsibility will fall on Petkovic and his squad to adapt quickly and maintain their push for a place at the 2026 World Cup without one of their most trusted defenders.
