Reviewed by Sports Pulse Editorial and updated when source details change.
Vladimir Petkovic inherited a talented Algeria side that went 12 years between World Cup appearances (2014 to 2026). The 2014 Round of 16 team — built around Mahrez, Slimani, Brahimi, and Feghouli — was the golden generation. This 2026 squad is the bridge: Mahrez and Mandi carry the legacy, Amoura and Chaïbi represent the future. Group J is Argentina’s to lose, but second place is a three-team race.
Projected 26-man squad
Goalkeepers
| Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luca Zidane | Granada | 28 | 6 |
| Anthony Mandrea | Caen | 29 | 18 |
| Alexis Guendouz | MC Alger | 30 | 4 |
Defenders
| Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aïssa Mandi | Lille | 34 | 90 |
| Rayan Aït-Nouri | Manchester City | 25 | 14 |
| Ramy Bensebaini | Borussia Dortmund | 31 | 64 |
| Rafik Belghali | Hellas Verona | 24 | 2 |
| Jaouen Hadjam | Young Boys | 23 | 6 |
| Zineddine Belaïd | JS Kabylie | 22 | 2 |
| Mohamed Amine Tougaï | Espérance de Tunis | 28 | 10 |
| Samir Chergui | Paris FC | 26 | 2 |
| Achraf Abada | USM Alger | 27 | 4 |
Midfielders
| Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ismaël Bennacer | Dinamo Zagreb | 28 | 50 |
| Fares Chaïbi | Eintracht Frankfurt | 23 | 16 |
| Hicham Boudaoui | Nice | 26 | 18 |
| Ibrahim Maza | Bayer Leverkusen | 20 | 4 |
| Houssem Aouar | Al-Ittihad | 27 | 14 |
| Ramiz Zerrouki | Twente | 27 | 30 |
| Nabil Bentaleb | Lille | 31 | 44 |
Forwards
| Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riyad Mahrez | Al-Ahli | 35 | 94 |
| Mohamed Amoura | Werder Bremen | 26 | 28 |
| Amine Gouiri | Olympique de Marseille | 26 | 12 |
| Baghdad Bounedjah | Al-Shamal | 34 | 64 |
| Anis Hadj-Moussa | Feyenoord | 24 | 4 |
| Adil Boulbina | Al-Duhail | 28 | 8 |
Key inclusions
Riyad Mahrez — the last dance. Mahrez is Algeria’s greatest player: 94 caps, Premier League winner with Leicester, multiple league titles with Manchester City, and the creative force behind the 2019 AFCON title. At 35, playing for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, his pace has declined but his left foot — cutting inside from the right, curling shots and crosses — remains world-class. He has confirmed this is his final tournament.
Mohamed Amoura — 10 goals in CAF qualifying. Amoura was the top African scorer in World Cup qualifying with 10 goals. His move to Werder Bremen from Union Saint-Gilloise produced 14 Bundesliga goals in 2025-26. At 26, he is Algeria’s most dangerous attacker and the player who will lead the post-Mahrez generation.
Ismaël Bennacer — the midfield anchor. Bennacer’s move to Dinamo Zagreb was unconventional — leaving Milan for Croatia — but it guaranteed him 90 minutes every week ahead of the World Cup. He is Algeria’s primary deep-lying playmaker: breaks lines with his passing, covers defensively, and takes penalties. His form determines Algeria’s ability to control midfield against Austria and compete with Argentina.
Notable omissions
Youcef Atal — season-ending Achilles injury. Atal was Algeria’s starting right-back and primary overlapping threat before rupturing his Achilles. His absence forces Petkovic to start the inexperienced Belghali (2 caps) against Austria’s pressing system — a significant vulnerability.
Group J outlook
| Match | Date | Venue | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| vs Austria | June 16 | BC Place, Vancouver | High |
| vs Argentina | June 20 | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara | Very High |
| vs Jordan | June 24 | BC Place, Vancouver | Low |
Austria is the group-deciding match for second place. Rangnick’s high press will test Algeria’s build-up from the back — the Bennacer-Chaïbi-Boudaoui midfield trio must be technically clean under pressure. Argentina is likely a loss. Jordan must be three points. Target: 4 points (beat Jordan, draw Austria), advancing as a third-place qualifier.
Sources checked
- Algerian Football Federation (FAF) — Petkovic’s squad selections, CAF qualifying results
- Goal.com, DZWatch, Fox Sports — projected 26-man squad, tactical analysis
- transfermarkt — player age, caps, club data as of May 2026