Ramy Bensebaini is facing growing uncertainty ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with concerns mounting over both his fitness and his future at Borussia Dortmund.
The Algerian defender is currently dealing with a foot injury that ended his season prematurely and has raised doubts about his readiness for Algeria’s World Cup preparations, which begin in just over a week.
Algeria national football team are preparing for their fifth appearance at the World Cup after previously competing at the tournaments in Spain in 1982, Mexico in 1986, South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014. The North African side failed to qualify for the editions in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.
The 2026 tournament draw placed Algeria in Group 10 alongside reigning world champions Argentina national football team, as well as Jordan national football team and Austria national football team.
Led by experienced players including Aissa Mandi, Algeria are hoping to make a significant impact in a competition that will feature 48 teams for the first time.
However, attention has now shifted towards Bensebaini’s condition after the defender suffered an injury during Dortmund’s Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg on 26 April.
The injury forced the 31-year-old to miss Dortmund’s remaining Bundesliga fixtures against Borussia Mönchengladbach, Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen.
Despite the growing concern, Dortmund have not provided detailed information regarding the severity of the problem. Coach Niko Kovac confirmed only that Bensebaini’s season was over, leaving uncertainty surrounding whether the defender will be fully fit for the World Cup.
The lack of clarity has caused anxiety among Algerian supporters, particularly because of Bensebaini’s importance within coach Vladimir Petkovic’s defensive plans.
Injuries have already become a significant issue for Algeria in recent months. During the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Petkovic lost several defenders, including Samir Cherki, Joan Hajjam and Mohamed Amine Tougai.
Bensebaini is expected to undergo intensive treatment with the national team’s medical staff at the Sidi Moussa training centre near Algiers in an effort to accelerate his recovery before the World Cup begins.
Although Algeria still possess defensive alternatives such as Zinedine Belaid and Achraf Abada, Bensebaini’s experience and leadership are viewed as crucial for the squad.
Away from injury concerns, reports in Germany have also highlighted uncertainty surrounding the defender’s contractual situation at Borussia Dortmund.
According to those reports, Bensebaini is determined to honour his current deal, which runs until June 2027, while rejecting both a summer departure and the possibility of signing an extension.
The situation mirrors events from 2023 during his departure from Borussia Mönchengladbach. At the time, the defender reportedly turned down multiple contract renewal offers before leaving the club on a free transfer to Dortmund, a move that frustrated club officials and supporters.
German media reports now suggest Bensebaini could pursue a similar strategy again by allowing his Dortmund contract to expire before negotiating with interested clubs from a stronger position.
Despite the uncertainty, the Algerian international is still believed to be attracting interest from clubs including Galatasaray SK and Olympique de Marseille.
For Algeria, however, the immediate focus remains on whether one of their most experienced defenders can recover in time for the country’s long-awaited return to the World Cup stage.
