African side Algeria have become the latest nation to name their squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup as they aim to escape a competitive Group J.
Bosnian, Vladimir Petkovic is the man to lead Algeria into the World Cup and has been at the helm for just over two years. He has named a 26-man squad that he believes is capable of qualifying from the group stage and move further.
There aren’t too many players that fans of English football will recognise but the likes of Riyad Mahrez, formerly of Leicester City and Manchester City, Nabil Bentaleb, once of Tottenham Hotspur and Rayan Aït-Nouri of Man City will catch the eye.
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Algeria World Cup 2026 squad
| Squad number | Player | Position | Domestic club | International caps | International goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Luca Zidane | GK | Granada (Spain) | 6 | 0 |
| 16 | Oussama Benbot | GK | USM Alger (Algeria) | 2 | 0 |
| 1 | Melvin Mastil | GK | Stade Nyonnais (Switzerland) | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Aïssa Mandi | DF | Lille (France) | 116 | 7 |
| 21 | Ramy Bensebaini | DF | Borussia Dortmund (Germany) | 81 | 7 |
| 4 | Mohamed Amine Tougai | DF | Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia) | 28 | 2 |
| 15 | Rayan Aït-Nouri | DF | Manchester City | 27 | 0 |
| 13 | Jaouen Hadjam | DF | Young Boys (Switzerland) | 16 | 3 |
| 17 | Rafik Belghali | DF | Verona (Italy) | 11 | 1 |
| 5 | Zineddine Belaïd | DF | JS Kabylie (Algeria) | 9 | 1 |
| 3 | Achref Abada | DF | USM Alger (Algeria) | 6 | 1 |
| 26 | Samir Chergui | DF | Paris FC (France) | 4 | 0 |
| 19 | Nabil Bentaleb | MF | Lille (France) | 58 | 6 |
| 6 | Ramiz Zerrouki | MF | Twente (Netherlands) | 51 | 3 |
| 14 | Hicham Boudaoui | MF | Nice (France) | 32 | 0 |
| 10 | Farès Chaïbi | MF | Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany) | 28 | 3 |
| 8 | Houssem Aouar | MF | Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) | 19 | 6 |
| 22 | Ibrahim Maza | MF | Bayer Leverkusen (Germany) | 15 | 2 |
| 24 | Yacine Titraoui | MF | Charleroi (Belgium) | 5 | 0 |
| 7 | Riyad Mahrez | FW | Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) | 113 | 38 |
| 18 | Mohamed Amoura | FW | Wolfsburg (Germany) | 44 | 19 |
| 9 | Amine Gouiri | FW | Marseille (France) | 21 | 8 |
| 11 | Anis Hadj Moussa | FW | Feyenoord (Netherlands) | 13 | 0 |
| 20 | Adil Boulbina | FW | Al-Duhail (Qatar) | 10 | 6 |
| 12 | Nadhir Benbouali | FW | Győr (Hungary) | 2 | 1 |
| 25 | Farès Ghedjemis | FW | Frosinone (Italy) | 1 | 1 |
The Desert Foxes of Algeria arrive at the 2026 World Cup with a squad that perfectly encapsulates their dynamic footballing identity: a potent blend of seasoned campaigners and electrifying young talent. Under the astute guidance of their Swiss coach, this iteration of the Algerian national team is poised to challenge, bringing both tactical discipline and an unpredictable flair to the North American stage.
At the heart of their experienced core stands the venerable Riyad Mahrez, whose silky skills and decisive moments continue to inspire. He is ably supported by defensive stalwart Aïssa Mandi, a centurion for his country, and the midfield engine of Nabil Bentaleb, ensuring a backbone of unwavering resolve. These veterans provide the calm authority needed to navigate the pressures of a global tournament.
However, the true excitement lies in the burgeoning potential of their youthful contingent. The likes of Ibrahim Maza, with his burgeoning reputation, the tenacious Jaouen Hadjam, and the creative spark of Yacine Titraoui are not merely making up the numbers. These emerging stars are ready to inject pace, audacity, and a fearless approach, eager to etch their names into Algerian football folklore and propel the Desert Foxes to new heights.
- Read more: Algeria World Cup 2026 odds
Three players to look out for this summer
Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli)
The 2026 World Cup represents a final, shimmering opportunity for Riyad Mahrez to secure his legacy as Algeria’s greatest-ever export. At 35, the former Manchester City magician has already confirmed that this will be his international swansong, and he is determined to lead the Desert Foxes on one last deep run through the tournament. Having reinvented himself as the creative fulcrum of Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, Mahrez arrives in North America with his trademark silkiness undimmed, eager to provide a fairy-tale ending to a career defined by defying the odds.
While he may have traded the high-intensity sprinting of the Premier League for a more measured, cerebral role, his ability to conjure something from nothing remains his greatest asset. He is the technical heartbeat and spiritual captain of this Algerian side, a player whose mere presence on the right wing forces opposition managers into tactical reshuffles. The likes of Mohamed Amoura and Amine Gouiri will provide the youthful legs and relentless pressing, but when the ball is at Mahrez’s feet in the final third – the world stops to watch. He is the master of the “magic moment”, the veteran wizard who can still pick a lock that others didn’t even know existed.
Houssem Aouar (Al-Ittihad)
The stage is set for Houssem Aouar to fully embrace his role as the creative architect of this Algeria team at the 2026 World Cup. At 27, the former Lyon star is entering his prime, and after a prolific season in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad – where he topped the scoring charts with 20 goals – he arrives in North America with the confidence of a man who has rediscovered his clinical edge. Aouar is the vital link between the Desert Foxes’ industrious midfield and their explosive front line, and he would love nothing more than to orchestrate a historic run for his adopted nation.
While the effortless elegance and close control that made him one of Europe’s most coveted prospects remain his signature, there is a new-found ruthlessness to his game that has seen him become a genuine goal-scoring threat. He is the technical conductor of Vladimir Petković’s side, a player who thrives in the half-spaces and possesses the vision to unlock the most stubborn of international defences. The likes of Riyad Mahrez may provide the veteran inspiration, but when Aouar is drifting between the lines and demanding the ball—anything can happen. He is the “metronome with a sting”, the man who can dictate the tempo of a match before delivering the final, fatal blow.
Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City)
The dynamic left-back, Rayan Aït-Nouri, has rapidly ascended to become a pivotal figure for both club and country. Having recently completed a high-profile move to Manchester City in 2025, after a standout season with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aït-Nouri is now poised to make a significant impact on the grandest stages of European and international football. His 2024/25 campaign saw him contribute an impressive four goals and seven assists, showcasing his attacking prowess and cementing his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most exciting full-backs.
Born in France but representing Algeria on the international stage, Aït-Nouri brings a blend of defensive solidity and electrifying offensive play. His ability to retain possession and drive forward from the left flank has been a consistent highlight, earning him accolades as a “bright spark” during his time at Wolves. This attacking impetus, coupled with his technical proficiency, makes him an ideal fit for Pep Guardiola’s tactical system at Manchester City, where he is expected to thrive. For the Algerian national team, Aït-Nouri is more than just a defender; he is a crucial outlet, providing width and creativity, and his continued development will be instrumental as the Desert Foxes aim for glory in upcoming tournaments. With his career trajectory firmly on the ascendant, anything is possible when Aït-Nouri is on the pitch.
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Algeria World Cup 2026 fixtures
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