After more than a decade away from football’s biggest stage, Algeria are back at the FIFA World Cup. Head coach Vladimir Petković has announced a 27-man preliminary squad for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The roster includes four goalkeepers, although only three can be officially registered for the competition.

Luca Zidane and Riyad Mahrez Headline the Squad

Among the most notable names is Luca Zidane, the Granada goalkeeper and son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane.

Veteran star Riyad Mahrez also returns to lead the Desert Foxes. The former Manchester City winger remains one of Algeria’s most important players and will once again carry the hopes of a nation on the world stage.

Another player to watch is Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza, one of the brightest young talents in Algerian football and a key piece of the team's future.

Algeria’s Official Squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Goalkeepers

• Luca Zidane (Granada, Spain)
• Oussama Benbot (USM Alger, Algeria)
• Melvin Mastil (Stade Nyonnais, Switzerland)
• Abdelatif Ramdane (CS Constantine, Algeria)

Defenders

• Rafik Belghali (Hellas Verona, Italy)
• Samir Chergui (Red Star FC, France)
• Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City, England)
• Jaouen Hadjam (Young Boys, Switzerland)
• Aïssa Mandi (Lille, France)
• Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)
• Zineddine Belaïd (JS Kabylie, Algeria)
• Achref Abada (USM Alger, Algeria)
• Mohamed Amine Tougai (ES Tunis, Tunisia)

Midfielders

• Nabil Bentaleb (Lille, France)
• Hicham Boudaoui (Nice, France)
• Houssem Aouar (Al-Ittihad, Saudi Arabia)
• Farès Chaïbi (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany)
• Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
• Yacine Titraoui (Charleroi, Belgium)
• Ramiz Zerrouki (Twente, Netherlands)

Forwards

• Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg, Germany)
• Nadhir Benbouali (Gyor, Hungary)
• Adil Boulbina (Al-Duhail, Qatar)
• Farès Ghedjemis (Frosinone, Italy)
• Amine Gouiri (Olympique Marseille, France)
• Anis Hadj Moussa (Feyenoord, Netherlands)
• Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia)

A Tough Challenge in Group J

Algeria have been drawn into Group J, where they will face reigning world champions Argentina, Austria and World Cup debutants Jordan.

On paper, Argentina are the favorites to win the group, while Algeria will look to battle for the remaining qualification spot and prove they belong among the tournament’s most competitive teams.

The group presents a difficult challenge, but one that the Desert Foxes will embrace as they return to the World Cup after missing several recent editions.

Petković’s Mission: Restore Algeria’s World Cup Presence

Simply qualifying for the tournament marks a significant achievement for a nation that had not appeared at a World Cup since Brazil 2014.

Now, with experienced leaders such as Mahrez and emerging stars like Ibrahim Maza, Petković hopes to guide Algeria back into the spotlight and make the Desert Foxes one of Africa’s most dangerous teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.