Algeria include Aït-Nouri for World Cup qualifying despite injury concern

Algeria national team coach Vladimir Petković has named his squad for upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounters against Botswana and Guinea in Group G.

 

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The Foxes are leading their group and will be hoping to extend their lead to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2014.

Petković named a very strong squad with Riyad Mahrez leading the contingent. Fellow Saudi-based midfielders Saïd Benrahma and Yassine Benzia have also been called up for the September assignment. Veteran goal machine Baghdad Bounedjah received a call-up alongside Bayer Leverkusen’s new recruit Ibrahim Maza. Mohamed Amoura, a key member of the squad, has also retained his place.

Rayan Aït-Nouri has been included despite sustaining an injury while playing for Manchester City against Tottenham last week. The left back was subbed off in the first half at the Etihad and is major doubt for this week’s City’s Premier League game against Brighton. Notable absentees are midfielder Ismaël Bennacer and goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja. The former is yet to find a new club after being left out of AC Milan’s first team, while the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations-winning goalkeeper is currently nursing an injury.

Espérance de Tunis striker Youcef Belaïli, Algeria ‘A’ team goalkeeper Zakaria Bouhalfaya, and MC Alger custodian Alexis Guendouz are the only three players in the squad currently plying their trade in Africa. Bouhalfaya was Algeria’s starter during the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Algeria top Group G with 15 points, three ahead of Mozambique.