AFCON 2025: Blow for Algeria as Houssem Aouar ruled out of Africa Cup of Nations

Algeria have suffered a blow to their Africa Cup of Nations hopes with the withdrawal of key midfielder Houssem Aouar on Friday.

He was injured during training on Thursday, according to a statement from the Algerian Football Federation, and will be replaced for the tournament in Morocco by Himad Abdelli of French club Angers. No details about the injury were given.

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Aouar, who won a cap for France before switching his international allegiance to Algeria, played at the last Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast two years ago, where Algeria became the first to suffer shock casualties.

In Morocco, Algeria will play Sudan in Group E on Wednesday in Rabat before playing Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.

Abdelli was a surprising omission from Algeria’s initial 28-man squad list announced last week. The 26-year-old was born in France but has won four caps for Algeria.

Published on December 19, 2025