West Ham United Women have welcomed Inès Belloumou back to training following her successful summer with Algeria. The squad is now in its final preparations for a pre-season friendly against Aston Villa at Keys Park.
Belloumou helped her national team secure a third-place finish at the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Her performances were so impressive she earned a spot in the official Team of the Tournament. The midfielder, who wears the number 7 shirt for the Hammers, has now rejoined her club teammates under manager Rita Guarino.
Her return provides a significant boost to the team's midfield options ahead of the new campaign. Belloumou brings confidence and match sharpness from a major international tournament directly into the West Ham environment. This integration is vital as the team looks to build cohesion before competitive action begins. Fans can track her progress and the rest of the squad on our dedicated squad page.
The upcoming friendly against Aston Villa represents the last scheduled test before the Barclays Women's Super League kicks off. This match is a key part of Guarino's plan to fine-tune tactics and fitness. A strong performance at Keys Park would generate positive momentum. The full schedule for the 2026/27 season, including all league and cup dates, is available on our fixtures list.
West Ham United Women begin their league campaign away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, 6 September. This London derby is a demanding opener that will immediately test the team's readiness. The match is part of a packed opening weekend for the Barclays Women's Super League. Supporters can follow the team's position throughout the year by checking the standings page.
The final phase of pre-season is now about translating training ground work into a competitive performance against Villa. Belloumou's return adds an experienced and in-form player to the mix for that key final friendly. The team travels to face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, 6 September.
