The Algerian national team’s roster for the 2026 World Cup is beginning to take shape, as the nation anticipates its first appearance on the global stage in a dozen years next summer.
They secured the African Cup of Nations title in 2019; however, their failure to secure qualification for the World Cup both before and after that triumph has been a source of significant disappointment.
Driven by a group of promising emerging players, the team aspires to demonstrate its capacity to consistently compete at an elite level globally, commencing with the 2026 World Cup.
Next up for Algeria is the Arab Cup, for which they will field a team with fewer prominent players. The majority of the squad is based in the Arab World with a few exceptions. One notable exception is Islam Slimani, who, at 37 years old, is the nation’s all-time leading scorer and currently plays club football in Romania.
Following that, the Fennecs will journey to Morocco to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Riyad Mahrez will at last have the chance to shine on a truly global platform, having previously excelled in both the Premier League and the Champions League before his transfer to a Middle Eastern club.
He receives support from promising players such as Badredine Bouanani and Amine Gouiri, both of whom compete in France. Luca Zidane, the son of Zinedine Zidane, serves as their goalkeeper.
Squad
Algeria’s World Cup 2026 squad: The November selection
- GK: Farid Chaâl (CR Belouizdad)
- GK: Rayane Yesli (HFX Wanderers)
- GK: Mohamed Idir Hadid (JS Kabylie)
- DF: Houari Baouche (CS Constantine)
- DF: Naoufel Khacef (CR Belouizdad)
- DF: Youcef Atal (Al-Sadd)
- DF: Abdelkader Bedrane (Damac)
- DF: Réda Halaïmia (MC Alger)
- DF: Mohamed Amine Tougai (Espérance de Tunis)
- DF: Achref Abada (ASO Chlef)
- DF: Reda Benchaa (JS Kabylie)
- MF: Sofiane Bendebka (Al-Fateh)
- MF: Zakaria Draoui (USM Alger)
- MF: Victor Lekhal (Al-Qadsia)
- MF: Houssem Eddine Mrezigue (Dynamo Makhachkala)
- FW: Adil Boulbina (Al-Duhail)
- FW: Yassine Benzia (Al-Fayha)
- FW: Amir Sayoud (Al-Hazem)
- FW: Yacine Brahimi (Al-Gharafa)
- FW: Islam Slimani (CFR Cluj)
- FW: Rafik Guitane (Estoril Praia)
- FW: Redouane Berkane (Al-Wakrah)
- FW: Adam Ounas (Al-Sailiya)
Fixtures and results
African Cup of Nations 2025 – December 31: Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria, Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco
African Cup of Nations 2025 – December 28: Algeria vs Burkina Faso, Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco
African Cup of Nations 2025 – December 24: Algeria vs Sudan, Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco
Arab Cup 2025 – December 9: Algeria vs Iraq, Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Arab Cup 2025 – December 6: Bahrain vs Algeria, Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar
Arab Cup 2025 – December 3: Algeria vs Sudan, Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar
November 18: Saudi Arabia 0-2 Algeria, Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
November 13: Algeria 3-1 Zimbabwe, Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
October 14: Algeria 2–1 Uganda, Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria
October 9: Somalia 0–3 Algeria, Miloud Hadefi Stadium, Oran, Algeria
September 8: Guinea 0–0 Algeria, Mohammed V Stadium, Casablanca, Morocco
September 4: Algeria 3–1 Botswana, Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria
June 10: Sweden 4–3 Algeria, Friends Arena, Solna, Sweden
June 5: Algeria 2–0 Rwanda, Chahid Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine, Algeria
March 25: Algeria 5–1 Mozambique, Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria
March 21: Botswana 1–3 Algeria, Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, Francistown, Botswana
Manager
Who is Algeria’s manager?
Vladimir Petkovic is embarking on his second venture into international team management with Algeria.
From 2014 to 2021, he oversaw the Swiss national squad, leading them in the 2016 and the rescheduled 2020 European Championships, along with the 2018 World Cup.
He has steered Algeria since February 2024, following the departure of Djamel Belmadi after their second consecutive AFCON campaign where they were unable to progress past the group stage.
Star player
Who is Algeria’s star player?
For a significant period, Riyad Mahrez was a prominent figure in the Premier League. In 2016, he was a key member of the Leicester City squad that defied expectations by winning the English top-flight title. He was subsequently recognized as the PFA Player of the Year, having amassed 17 goals and 10 assists.
Currently, he is playing for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, where he secured the AFC Champions League title in the 2024/25 season. This marked the first time the club had achieved this milestone in its history.
He remains a pivotal figure in the Algerian national team, and their on-field achievements are often linked to his performance levels.
Best XI
