The Algerian national team received a severe blow before its upcoming commitments, following the injury of international defender Mohamed Amin Tougai during his participation with Espérance Sportive de Tunis against Étoile du Sahel, in a match that took place as part of the ninth round of the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1.

The club Espérance stated in an official statement through its social media accounts that the medical examinations conducted on the player revealed a muscle injury that requires him to undergo a period of rest, with a gradual return to training to be determined later.

The match ended with Espérance winning against Étoile du Sahel with a score of 1-0, but Tougai's injury was the only negative point for the team in the match.

Due to this injury, national coach Vladimir Petkovic decided to call up Kabylie defender Zinedine Belaid to replace Tougai in the squad of the “Greens,” in preparation for the upcoming matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.