Islam Slimani Dreams of Playing in the World Cup 2026

On June 18, the star and historical scorer of the Fennecs reached 36 years, yet he does not see himself in the retirement clubs in the Gulf or the Algerian League, and aspires to shine more and may surprise his fans at the last moment with a big club or belonging to an important league and perhaps another continent.

If the possibility of his presence in September with the Fennecs is inexistent, his return in October or another month remains possible for a player who refused to descend from the top in the most difficult circumstances, especially since the 2026 World Cup is only a year and 10 months away.

Islam Slimani has not stopped receiving offers from four continents this summer, from clubs that want him as a player with a big name in the Arab Gulf and even in Algeria, most notably his first club Belouizdad (CRB) and Mouloudia of Algiers (MCA), and from clubs that want his goals in Belgium, France and Brazil, but he is hesitant and still thinks about football before money.

Islam Slimani began his professional career in the fall of 2009, days before the famous Oum Durman match in Sudan, which announced the return of the Fennecs. In his first season with Chabab Belouizdad (CRB), he scored 8 goals, followed by 10 goals in his second season, and then returned to 10 goals in his third season. However, in his last season with Belouizdad and the Algerian league, he did not exceed four goals, meaning that he scored 32 goals in the Algerian league during four seasons.

Islam Slimani, 36, played for 12 clubs from seven countries: Algeria, Portugal, England, France, Turkey, Brazil and Belgium, from three continents. His experience in Turkey is considered the most unsuccessful, although he played in the UEFA Europa League with Fenerbahce, where he scored one goal. His best numbers remain with Sporting CP in the 2015/2016 season, where he scored 27 goals and was second among the top scorers in the Portuguese league in that most successful football season in Slimani’s life. He scored four goals against Porto, whose goal was guarded by the legendary Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Islam Slimani played in 16 football seasons making him the historical scorer of the Fennecs. He aspires to increase and extend the journey to the 2026 World Cup, where he will be 38, and in front of his eyes will be Cristiano Ronaldo who also dreams of playing in the 2026 World Cup.

The owner of the four goals in the Qatari league, Baghdad Bounedjah, has returned to his level, and Amine Gouiri has also returned strongly in the French league. However, mentioning Islam Slimani still means strong will and knowing the way to the net by instinct, as well as the confidence of the fans in him.

Slimani’s fans do not forget what he has offered, the struggling player who built his glory by himself and refuses to retire and the old age leagues that grant everyone who knocks on its door an exit from the world of football and then retirement in the world of darkness.