Algeria lose star winger Youcef Belaïli weeks before AFCON 2026 after a serious knee injury rules him out of the tournament.
The 33-year-old attacker, who plays for Espérance Tunis, suffers a ruptured ACL in his right knee.
A heavy challenge in the 21st minute of the Tunis derby against Club Africain ends his night early.
Team doctors rush on and guide him off as concern spreads across the stadium.
Medical scans later confirm ligament damage and end his season with immediate effect.
The setback strikes at the worst time for Algeria, with AFCON 2026 in Morocco running from 21 December to 18 January.
Belaïli stands as one of the team’s most battle-tested and technically gifted offensive weapons.
His national team journey includes 58 appearances and 10 international goals.
His style mixes sudden bursts, bold passes, sharp carries, and high-risk attacking invention.
He often pulls games Algeria struggle to unlock toward new possibilities through moments of instinct.
Vladimir Petković now faces a heavy tactical rewrite with tournament deadlines close.
Algeria lose more than a forward and also lose a consistent creator of disruption in the final third.
Belaïli shapes tempo, demands attention, and forces defensive movement through unpredictability.
His absence changes patterns, roles, and attacking balance just weeks before kickoff.
The squad must now redefine ball progression plans, chance creation hubs, and link-up structure.
Beyond AFCON, the injury threatens his buildup to 2026 World Cup preparation later in the cycle.
Messages of support continue pouring from players, supporters, and figures across North African football.
Algeria now enter tournament planning under pressure, searching for solutions against a ticking clock.
Morocco 2026 draws closer, but a key piece of Algeria’s attacking identity remains out of reach.
