Algeria national team: a highly anticipated midfield return!

The Greens are preparing to welcome a familiar face back to the squad

Africa 26 October 2025 at 05:08

The moment has finally arrived for Himad Abdelli’s return. Sidelined for several weeks due to a back injury that required surgery over the summer, the 26-year-old midfielder is now fully fit and is vying for a spot in Vladimir Petkovic’s upcoming November squad. The Angers midfielder, who has earned four caps for Algeria, hasn’t worn the Greens’ jersey since his brief appearance against Liberia in November 2024.

A chance to seize

The national team coach has been closely monitoring the Angers player’s resurgence, valuing his vision and physical presence on the pitch. In a midfield where only Hicham Boudaoui seems untouchable at the moment, Abdelli could well establish himself as a genuine option to boost the team’s creativity.
His versatile profile—capable of playing as a box-to-box midfielder or in a deep-lying playmaker role—fits perfectly with the squad’s needs, especially with major competitions looming in 2025. After missing out on the September and October training camps due to a lack of match fitness, the Montivilliers native is gradually returning to his best form with Angers SCO.
If he manages to confirm his physical resurgence, Abdelli could be one of the surprise call-ups in the next squad announcement. And according to those close to him, the player remains focused on a single goal: to pull on the green and white shirt again as soon as possible and cement his place at the heart of Algeria’s midfield.