Tunisia face Ali Abdi injury concern before March friendlies

Tunisia could be without defender Ali Abdi for their upcoming international friendlies after the left-back suffered an adductor injury while training with OGC Nice earlier this month.

The injury, sustained on 7 March, has sidelined the Tunisian international with no confirmed date for his return, raising doubts over his availability for the Carthage Eagles’ matches against Haiti national football team on 29 March and Canada men’s national soccer team on 1 April in Toronto.

Both fixtures are part of Tunisia’s preparations for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the national side looking to fine-tune its squad ahead of future qualification challenges.

Abdi had recently played an important role for Tunisia during the Africa Cup of Nations, delivering a series of strong performances.

The full-back featured in four matches during the competition, scoring a penalty against Nigeria national football team and setting up a goal in a match against Uganda national football team.

His attacking contributions were complemented by solid defensive displays. Known for his forward runs, precise deliveries into the box and ability from set pieces, Abdi also ranked among the tournament’s most effective defenders.

He recorded 10 tackles during the group stage, placing him fourth among the leading tacklers in that phase of the competition.

Those performances earned the 31-year-old a place in the group stage Team of the Tournament, further highlighting his growing influence within the Tunisian squad.

Since making his international debut in March 2021, Abdi has become a regular presence for the Carthage Eagles.

He has made 44 appearances for the national side and scored seven goals from defence, underlining both his reliability and attacking threat.

However, with uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline, Tunisia’s coaching staff must now wait to see whether the left-back will regain fitness in time for the upcoming fixtures in Canada.

The situation leaves the national team facing the possibility of preparing for the March window without one of its most consistent performers.