Vladimir Petkovic guides Algeria back to the FIFA World Cup this summer for the first time since 2014.
The Desert Foxes make a fifth tournament appearance, following 1982, 1986, 2010 and 2014. Their deepest run came in Brazil 12 years ago. Algeria pushed eventual champions Germany to extra time in the last 16, falling 2-1. Petkovic unveiled his 26-man squad on 31 May at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki, Algiers. Captain Riyad Mahrez leads the side at 35, with 113 caps and 38 goals to his name.
Algeria: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule
The Al-Ahli winger has carried Algeria’s hopes through a decade of international football. Veteran defender Aïssa Mandi anchors the back line as the country’s most-capped player on 116 appearances. Mohamed Amoura, the VfL Wolfsburg striker, finished as Algeria’s top scorer in qualifying with 10 goals in eight matches.
نحن محاربو الصحراء وهذه كتيبتنا للمونديال
أسياد في كل معركة.. لا نلعب بأقدامنا فقط بل بقلب شعب يتنفس كرة القدم حاملين معنا نبض الشوارع ودعوات الأمهات #LesVerts⭐️⭐️ | #123VivaLAlgérie 🇩🇿| #WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/9M786Yh4E6— Équipe d'Algérie de football (@LesVerts) May 31, 2026
Bayer Leverkusen’s Ibrahim Maza represents the next generation as one of Algerian football’s brightest young talents. The most eye-catching call concerns Luca Zidane, the Granada goalkeeper and son of French legend Zinedine. The shot-stopper recovered from a double chin and jaw fracture to make the squad.
AC Milan midfielder Ismaël Bennacer headlines a list of notable omissions. Striker Baghdad Bounedjah and Algerian midfielder Himad Abdelli also miss out. Algeria sealed qualification by topping CAF Group J. A 2-1 win over Uganda proved decisive in the campaign.
Group J at the finals draws the Desert Foxes with reigning champions Argentina, Austria and Jordan. Lionel Messi’s side provide the toughest possible opener in Kansas City. Jordan and Austria follow as Algeria chase a long-awaited knockout-stage return.
Algeria 2026 World Cup fixtures
- Wednesday, June 17th – Argentina vs Algeria – Kansas City, USA
- Tuesday, June 23rd – Jordan vs Algeria – Santa Clara, USA
- Sunday, June 28th – Algeria vs Austria – Kansas City, USA
What time do Algeria’s World Cup games kick off?
All kick-off times are BST.
- Argentina vs Algeria, 2am
- Jordan vs Algeria, 4am
- Algeria vs Austria, 3am
Algeria 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers: Oussama Benbot (USM Alger), Melvin Masstil (Stade Nyonnaise), Luca Zidane (Granada)
Defenders: Achraf Abada (USM Alger), Rayan Ait-Nouri (Manchester City), Zinedine Belaid (JS Kabylie), Rafik Belghali (Verona), Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund), Samir Chergui (Paris FC), Jaouen Hadjam (Young Boys Bern), Aissa Mandi (Lille), Mohamed Amine Tougai (Esperance)
Midfielders: Houssem Aouar (Al-Ittihad), Nabil Bentaleb (Lille), Hicham Boudaoui (Nice), Fares Chaibi (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen), Yassine Titraoui (Charleroi), Ramiz Zerrouki (Twente)
Forwards: Mohamed Amine Amoura (Wolfsburg), Nadir Benbouali (Gyori ETO), Adil Boulbina (Al-Duhail), Fares Ghedjemis (Frosinone), Amine Gouiri (Marseille), Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli), Anis Hadj Moussa (Feyenoord)
Read more – Netherlands: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule
See Also- Germany: 2026 World Cup Squad, Fixtures and Schedule
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