National Coach Hemdani Names First 26-Player Squad
Brahim Hemdani, the new head coach for the Algerian national football team, has officially unveiled his first 26-player squad. This initial selection marks a significant step for the team, with Hemdani opting for a group that sees substantial changes from the squad that participated in the 2026 World Cup campaign. The squad is scheduled to convene for an extended camp from September 21 to October 6, preparing for crucial matches on the horizon.
The national team's schedule includes two qualification matches for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027: against Zambia on September 26 and Burundi on September 29. Additionally, a friendly fixture against Niger is slated for October 6. Among the notable inclusions in Hemdani's list is the return of defender Ahmed Touba, who re-joins the "Greens" after a year. His return follows the international retirement of Aïssa Mandi, making way for Touba to bolster the defensive line. Bachir Belloumi also makes a significant comeback to the squad.
The squad also features other returning players such as Monsef Bakrar, Amin Chiakha, and Ilan Kebbal, adding depth across various positions. New faces benefiting from this selection include Abdelatif Remdane and Kilian Belazzoug, while Saâdi Radouani also earns a spot. In the midfield, Himad Abdelli, Adil Aouchiche, and the returning Adem Zorgane have been called up. Coach Hemdani has affirmed that no player has been permanently excluded from consideration, leaving open the possibility for future returns to the national team.
