Andrew Olsson
October 2, 2025World Cup (Q): List unveiled as Algeria prepares to clinch qualification
Photo: Algerian Football Federation
World Cup (Q): List unveiled as Algeria prepares to clinch qualification
On Thursday, Algeria national team coach Vladimir Petković announced his squad for the final two rounds of 2026 World Cup qualifying.
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Les Verts are one victory away from confirming their ticket to the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The opening match on October 9 against Somalia, who will host the match in Algeria at the Stade Miloud Hadefi in Bir El Djir, presents an excellent opportunity for Algeria to finish the job before they close out their qualifying campaign against Uganda on October 14 in Tizi Ouzou.
Many familiar and experienced names are on the list of Petković. Riyad Mahrez, Baghdad Bounedjah, Amine Gouiri and Mohamed Amoura will lead the Fennecs’ attack. Ilan Kebbal, the Paris FC playmaker who was awarded with Ligue 1’s Player of the Month, will have an opportunity to make his Algeria debut while promising forward Amin Chiakha continues to be involved.
There are no major changes in the defense and midfield as well. Defenders Ramy Bensebaini, Mohamed Amine Tougai and Aissa Mandi are included in the list while Hicham Boudaoui, Nabil Bentaleb and Adem Zorgane are set to feature in the center of the midfield. Firas Chaïbi, Anis Ait Hadj Moussa and rising Stuttgart talent Badredine Bouanani are other notable names who will also arrive for national team duty as well as Bayer Leverkusen starlet Ibrahim Maza.
Luca Zidane, son of French national team legend Zinedine Zidane, has been included in the goalkeeper corps after declaring and finalizing his intention to represent Algeria. He joins incumbent starter Alexis Guendouz (MC Alger) and Oussama Benbout (USM Alger) as the candidates for Petković to choose from.
Algeria currently lead both Uganda and Mozambique by four points in Group G. Petković and his team will be all business to finish the job against Somalia before the coach will perhaps have an opportunity to experiment more with his selection against Uganda.
