Algeria's national football team coach, Vladimir Petković, has unveiled the final squad list for the 'Greens' ahead of their participation in the 2026 World Cup finals. Announced during a press conference at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, the Bosnian tactician revealed a list of 26 players, plus one addition, who will represent Algeria on the global stage.
Algeria national football team 2026 World Cup squad
In goal, Petković has selected a trio comprising Loucif Zidane, Melvin Malpertuis, and Oussama Benbot. Notably, young goalkeeper Belazoug (19) has been excluded from the final list despite his presence in the 'Warriors' training camp. Despite initial concerns over a jaw injury, Zidane's demonstrated readiness during the Sidi Mousa camp has reassured Petković and his staff of his ability to compete in the World Cup. Additionally, MC Alger goalkeeper Abdelatif Ramdane has been included as a fourth goalkeeper for the journey to the United States.
Defensively, the squad features nine defenders, including Ishak Tougai, who makes a return to the lineup after missing the March training camp. He is joined by Samir Chergui and Youcef Atal, who have regained their places after recovering from injuries that sidelined them from previous commitments, including the Africa Cup of Nations. Notably absent from the list is Mehdi Leris, a decision possibly linked to a dip in form towards the end of the season and his club's relegation in Serie A.
In midfield, the absences of Ismaël Bennacer and Adam Zorgane are significant. Bennacer's exclusion is attributed to recurrent injuries and difficulties in regaining his peak form, while Zorgane, despite consistent performances with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, did not convince the technical staff. In contrast, Nabil Bentaleb makes a strong return, reclaiming his spot after missing several training camps due to disciplinary reasons, before re-establishing himself with impressive performances for Lille OSC. Yacine Titraoui also continues to feature prominently, solidifying his position as a trusted player for Petković following positive showings in recent camps.
Upfront, Petković has maintained his stringent selections. Baghdad Bounedjah is once again left out, with speculation pointing to 'disciplinary' and behavioral reasons. Meanwhile, Nadir Benbouali, a forward for Hungarian club Győri ETO FC, has been included in Petković's squad. Despite his good performances with Paris FC, Elan Kabbou has not been called up, opening the door for new talents who have impressed, such as Farès Gjemmes, who has secured a place in the World Cup-bound squad.
Related topics: Algeria football squad, 2026 World Cup, Les Verts, Vladimir Petković, Algerian national team, Algeria
DZWatch provides English-language coverage of Algeria-focused developments for international readers.
