Vladimir Petkovic, head coach of the Algerian national football team, has announced a squad of 26 players for the upcoming matches. The team will face Botswana on Friday, March 21, in Francistown at 2:00 PM Algerian time, followed by a match against Mozambique on Tuesday, March 25, in Tizi-Ouzou at 10:00 PM. These games are part of the 5th and 6th matchdays of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers (USA-Canada-Mexico), as stated by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) in a release on Friday evening.
This roster marks the return of left winger Youcef Belaïli, ho has had an impressive season with ES Tunis, excelling both in the league and in the African Champions League. Belaïli last played for the “Greens” during the Africa Cup of Nations CAN-2023 (postponed to 2024) held in Côte d’Ivoire.
However, Petkovic will be without three key players due to injuries: defender Mohamed Amine Tougaï (ES Tunis), midfielder Ramiz Zerrouki (Feyenoord/Netherlands), and forward Baghdad Bounedjah (Al-Shamal/Qatar).
The national team will commence training on Monday at the National Technical Center (CTN) in Sidi Moussa before departing that evening on a special flight to Botswana.
Following the 4th matchday of the qualifiers, which took place in June 2024, Algeria and Mozambique are tied at the top with 9 points each, leading Botswana, Guinea, and Uganda, who all have 6 points. Somalia sits at the bottom with 0 points. Only the group winner qualifies for the final phase of the 2026 World Cup. Additionally, the four best second-placed teams will participate in a continental playoff, followed by an intercontinental playoff for a chance to qualify.
Petkovic will hold a press conference next Monday at the CTN in Sidi Moussa at 3:30 PM to discuss his player selections and the importance of these two qualifying matches.
List of 26 Selected Players:
Goalkeepers: Alexis Guendouz (Persepolis FC/Iran), Alexandre Oukidja (FC Metz/France), Anthony Mandrea (SC Caen/France)
Defenders:
Mohamed Farsi (Columbus Crew/USA), Youcef Atal (Al-Sadd SC/Qatar), Ryan Aït-Nouri (Wolverhampton/England), Jaouen Hadjam (BSC Young Boys/Switzerland), Aïssa Mandi (Lille OSC/France), Ahmed Touba (KV Mechelen/Belgium), Mohamed Amine Madani (JS Kabylie), Ramy Bensebaïni (Borussia Dortmund/Germany)
Midfielders:
Ismaël Bennacer (Olympique Marseille/France), Ahmed Kendouci (Cleopatra FC/Egypt), Adam Zorgane (Charleroi SC/Belgium), Farés Chaïbi (Eintracht Frankfurt/Germany), Yassine Benzia (Qarabag FK/Azerbaijan), Hicham Boudaoui (OGC Nice/France), Himad Abdelli (Angers SCO/France)
Forwards:
Mohamed Amine Amoura (VfL Wolfsburg/Germany), Youcef Belaïli (ES Tunis/Tunisia), Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli FC/Saudi Arabia), Anis Hadj Moussa (Feyenoord/Netherlands), Amine Gouiri (Olympique Marseille/France), Ibrahim Maza (Hertha Berlin/Germany), Saïd Benrahma (Neom SC/Saudi Arabia), Amin Chiakha (FC Copenhagen/Denmark).
