Article by Adrian Duţă – Published Tuesday, November 25, 2025 9:33 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, November 25, 2025 10:02 p.m.
Islam Slimani (37 years old), the striker from CFR Cluj, was called up to the Algerian national team for the FIFA Arab Cup matches, a competition that will be played between December 1-18.
The Algerian national team's all-time top scorer, with 47 goals scored in 102 matches, will participate with the national team's second team in the Arab Cup, a competition that will take place before the African Cup of Nations.
Islam Slimani will play for Algeria A' in December
“Our striker, Islam Slimani, is part of the Algeria A' National Team squad for the FIFA Arab Cup, a tournament that will start at the beginning of December, in Qatar! Good luck, Islam!”, CFR Cluj sent on the club's Facebook page.
Slimani has little chance to play for CFR Cluj this year. Transylvania will have the last stage on December 19, against Botoșani.
Algeria's national team will debut on December 3 at the Arab Cup. He will play against a team from the qualifiers. Then, on December 6, the Algerians will meet another national team that is fighting to participate in the group stage.
On December 9, Slimani's side will face Iraq, the second favorites of Group D. Algeria has a strong chance of finishing in the top two and qualifying for the quarters. In this case, he will also play on December 12. The semi-finals take place on the 15th, the two finals, small and large, on the 18th.
Islam Slimani, jumping/ photo Imago Images
CFR Cluj hopes that Slimani will play at the World Cup
CFR Cluj hopes that Slimani will impress in Algeria's second team and will be part of the squad for the World Championship that will take place next summer.
The stake is financial, as reported by GSP.ro. CFR Cluj could collect at least 70,000 euros if Slimani is called up to the national team for the 2026 WC.
1 goalscored Slimani in the Superliga, in 8 matches
