Algeria have officially confirmed their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with head coach Vladimir Petković making several bold selections ; most notably the omission of midfielder Ismaël Bennacer.
The squad announcement, released on Sunday via the national team’s official channels, brings an end to weeks of speculation over the final group that will represent the North African nation at the tournament.
Petković’s selection features a strong core of experienced internationals, including captain Riyad Mahrez, along with Amine Gouiri, Houssem Aouar, Ramy Bensebaïni, Aïssa Mandi and Rayan Aït-Nouri, all of whom are expected to play key roles in the campaign.
One of the biggest talking points is the exclusion of Bennacer, with the coach opting instead for Nabil Bentaleb as part of his midfield structure for the tournament.
The midfield group also includes Hicham Boudaoui, Ramiz Zerrouki, Yacine Titraoui, Ibrahim Maza and Fares Chaïbi, giving Algeria a mix of youth, energy and technical quality in the middle of the pitch.
In goal, Petković has selected Luca Zidane, Oussama Benbot, Melvin Mastil and Abdelatif Ramdane, providing four options as the coaching staff finalise their hierarchy ahead of the tournament.
The defensive unit is built around experience and balance, featuring Rayan Aït-Nouri, Ramy Bensebaïni, Aïssa Mandi, Mohamed Tougaï, Zineddine Belaïd, Jaouen Hadjam, Samir Chergui, Achraf Abada and Rafik Belghali.
In attack, Algeria will rely on Riyad Mahrez, Amine Gouiri, Mohamed Amoura, Anis Hadj-Moussa, Adil Boulbina, Nadhir Benbouali and Fares Ghedjemis to provide goals and creativity.
The squad list contains 29 players in total, with other notable omissions including Himad Abdelli, Baghdad Bounedjah and Ilan Kebbal.
Luca Zidane’s inclusion comes after his recovery from a double jaw fracture, with the goalkeeper returning to contention at a crucial time.
Petković’s final group reflects a balance of experience and emerging talent as Algeria prepare for a demanding World Cup campaign, with the coach making decisive calls in several key positions as preparations intensify.
