Surprising decision from Belaïli after the match against Guinea | OneFootball

Belaïli stays with the Fennecs after his discussion with the FAF president

Youcef Belaïli / @x.com/caf_online_FR

During the eighth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Group G, the clash between Algeria and Guinea ended in a goalless 0-0 draw.The Fennecs failed to find the back of the net—a rare occurrence that hadn't happened in 37 matches—forcing the team to wait until October to officially secure qualification.

Belaïli stays with the Fennecs after his discussion with the FAF president

The big surprise came from Youcef Belaïli. According to the Algerian outlet Compétition, the player was deeply disappointed not to have been given any playing time, not even a few minutes, which led him to seriously consider international retirement a thought he shared with a few friends, especially after his family attended the match.

Despite his frustration, Belaïli did not make any official announcement. Instead, he chose to discuss the matter with the president of the Algerian Football Federation, Walid Sadi, during the return trip to Algeria, confiding his desire to make room for the younger generation.

Walid Sadi reassured the player, stressing the team’s need for his experience and warned him against making any rash decisions in the heat of the moment.

Thanks to the support from the FAF president, Youcef Belaïli has decided to abandon the idea of retirement, much to the relief of his family and loved ones, who are eager to see him shine in the upcoming continental competitions.