Ali Abdi
NCE
Plays 17 minutes in return
El Abdi played 17 minutes in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Le Mans FC, logging two tackles and one clearance.
Analysis: El Abdi had undergone surgery after the World Cup and had been recovering since, missing the start of the season for Nice. His return to action now confirms his recovery is complete, positioning him to compete back toward a regular role at left back after making 22 Ligue 1 appearances with three goals last season. Melvin Bard has left the club this summer but he will have to compete with Niels Nkounkou for the left flank role.
Still in recovery
El Abdi (undisclosed) underwent surgery after the World Cup and is still recovering, according to OGC Nissa.
Analysis: El Abdi made 22 Ligue 1 appearances last season, scoring three goals, establishing himself as a regular contributor at left back. His recovery timeline will be worth monitoring as Nice begins the first stretch of the season without him.
Plays full game
El Abdi generated one shot (zero on goal) in Thursday's 3-1 loss versus Netherlands.
Analysis: El Abdi worked tirelessly down the left flank while recording seven clearances, three tackles and an interception. He also threatened early with a shot that drifted wide. He was able to win three ground duels and was kept busy by Donyell Malen and Denzel Dumfries.
Two crosses vs Japan
El Abdi had two crosses (zero accurate) and four tackles in Sunday's 4-0 defeat to Japan.
Analysis: Abdi won four tackles in five attempts, joint-most by any player in the match. The 32-year-old made an interception and a clearance as well. Other than that, Abdi provided two crosses, but neither was accurate.
Struggles on left flank
El Abdi recorded two crosses (zero accurate) and one corner in Sunday's 5-1 loss versus Sweden.
Analysis: El Abdi endured a difficult evening as the left wingback in Sunday's heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden at Monterrey Stadium, delivering two crosses, neither accurate, taking one corner and registering one interception in a match where his side were overrun from the first minute by a Swedish attack that generated 13 total attempts and five goals. The left wingback struggled to provide the attacking width his side desperately needed to threaten in transition, with his crossing inaccuracy compounding Tunisia's difficulties in a match where they were outclassed across every area of the pitch. His pace and directness down the left flank remain assets that Tunisia will need to use more effectively in their remaining group games if they are to recover from a devastating opening defeat and stay in World Cup contention.
Scores equalizer as sub
El Abdi scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), two crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Lens.
Analysis: El Abdi subbed on in the second half and scored the equalizer in the 84th minute with his third goal in the season. The left-back could not do much stat-wise other than that during his 19 minutes in the field. That was his 27th appearance in 2025-26 (17 starts).
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