Algeria Announces 27-Player Squad for 2026 World Cup Without Baghdad Bounedjah

Vladimir Petkovic, the head coach of the Algerian national football team, has selected a preliminary squad of 27 players for the 2026 World Cup.

The roster features Riyad Mahrez and Houssem Aouar, both active in the Saudi Professional League, while midfielder Ismael Bennacer and forward Baghdad Bounedjah were not included.

The squad is composed as follows:

Goalkeepers: Luka Zidane, Osama Ben Bouta, Melvin Mastil, Abdel Latif Ramadan.

Defenders: Samir Chergui, Rafik Belkhaly, Ryan Ait Nouri, Jawin Haj Jam, Aissa Mandi, Rami Ben Seghir, Zinedine Belaid, Ashraf Abada, Mohamed Amin Tougai.

Midfielders: Nabil Ben Taleb, Hicham Boudaoui, Houssem Aouar, Farès Chaïbi, Ibrahim Mazza, Yacine Titraoui, Ramez Zerouki.

Forwards: Mohamed Amin Amoura, Nadir Ben Bouali, Adel Boulbina, Farès Jedjemis, Amin Guerri, Anis Haj Moussa, Riyad Mahrez.

Algeria, known as the "Desert Warriors," has been drawn into Group 10 for the first round of the World Cup, alongside Argentina, Austria, and Jordan.