Algeria's squad list for the 2026 World Cup: Mahrez returns and other key players

Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic, manager of the Algerian national team, announced squad for the 2026 World Cup , which will face Guinea and Uganda in June in the third and fourth rounds of the African qualifiers. The squad sees the return of captain Riyad Mahrez, star of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli club, along with Houssem Aouar, the Roma midfielder, reflecting Petkovic's desire to rely on experienced players to achieve the dream of qualification.

"Desert Warriors" on a mission to restore continental prestige

The announcement of this squad comes at a crucial time for the Desert Warriors, who are striving to return to the global stage after missing out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The disappointment of their dramatic elimination against Cameroon in the play-off round still lingers in the minds of fans, placing immense pressure on the current generation to secure qualification. The 2026 World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, presents an ideal opportunity for Algeria to reaffirm its status as a footballing powerhouse in Africa, especially after their triumph at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, which marked the pinnacle of this generation's performance. The Algerian sporting community hopes that the era of new coach Petkovic will usher in a new period of stability and positive results, restoring the national team's prestige and standing on both the continental and international stages.

Analysis of the Algerian national team's squad for the 2026 World Cup

Petkovic's squad blends experience and youth, with Riyad Mahrez, Houssem Aouar, Aissa Mandi, and Ramy Bensebaini providing significant depth, while players like Mohamed Ammoura and Amine Gouiri inject dynamism and pace into the attack. Mahrez's return is particularly noteworthy, as he missed the last training camp, underscoring his indispensable leadership role both on and off the pitch. The coach is also counting on stability in midfield with players like Nabil Bentaleb and Ramez Zerrouki, who offer a balance between defensive and offensive duties. A positive result in the next two matches would solidify Algeria's lead in their group and give the team a tremendous morale boost as they continue their qualifying campaign successfully.

The complete list of the Algerian national team:

• Goalkeepers: Anthony Mandrea, Oussama Benbot, Mustapha Zeghba.
• Defense line: Rayan Ait-Nouri, Youcef Atal, Zinedine Belaid, Kevin Guitton, Johan Hadjam, Mohamed Meddani, Aissa Mandi, Mohamed Amine Tougai.
• Midfield: Houssem Aouar, Nabil Bentaleb, Ismaël Bennacer, Ahmed Kandoussi, Ramez Zerrouki.
• Forwards: Mohamed Amine Ammoura, Moncef Bakrar, Said Benrahma, Yassine Benzia, Baghdad Bounedjah, Yacine Brahimi, Amine Gouiri, Riyad Mahrez.

Group Seven Challenges in the Qualifiers

The Algerian national team is competing in Group G of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, alongside Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique, Botswana, and Somalia. Although "Les Fennecs" currently lead the group with six points from two wins, the qualifying campaign is still long and full of challenges, especially given the difficulty of away matches in Africa. The upcoming match against Guinea, their direct competitor, at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, followed by the trip to Uganda, will be a true test of the team's ability, under the leadership of coach Petkovic, to handle pressure and achieve their objectives.