Vladimir Petkovic will delay announcing his final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, choosing instead to wait until the end of Algeria’s first training camp before submitting his list to FIFA.
In contrast to his usual approach of naming squads early, the Algerian coach wants to use the full training period from May 25 to 31 at the National Technical Centre in Sidi-Moussa to assess player fitness before finalising his selection.
The decision comes as several key members of the national team remain under injury clouds, forcing the coaching staff to take a more cautious and flexible approach ahead of the tournament.
Among the players under close observation are Ramy Bensebaini and Luca Zidane, both of whom are currently recovering, as well as Samir Chergui and Jaouen Hadjam, who have spent extended periods on the sidelines.
With FIFA’s final submission deadline set for June 1, Petkovic intends to make use of physical testing and on-pitch assessments during camp to determine which players are fully ready for the demands of a World Cup campaign.
Reports suggest the coach is focused on avoiding late fitness setbacks, especially as Algeria prepare to travel to Kansas City on June 7 for their tournament build-up.
As part of his planning, Petkovic is expected to work with an expanded group of 26 players during the camp—the maximum allowed in preliminary preparations—ensuring continuity while still evaluating form and fitness.
This approach allows the technical team to maintain squad cohesion while still keeping room for final adjustments based on medical and performance data gathered during the training period.
An additional standby list of players is also expected to be maintained in case of late injuries or withdrawals before the final tournament registration is confirmed.
For Algeria, the priority now is balancing preparation with caution, as Petkovic looks to ensure his final World Cup squad is both physically ready and tactically balanced ahead of the global tournament
