Vahid Halilhodzic Unveils Algeria’s 30-Man Preliminary Squad for 2014 World Cup
Algeria’s national football team coach Vahid Halilhodzic has announced his preliminary 30-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Monday. The Franco-Bosnian tactician’s list includes a few surprising inclusions, including Ryad Boudebouz, a player who had been in conflict with the coaching staff and had not been called up for several months. The Bastia midfielder now finds himself back in the fold as Algeria prepares for the tournament in Brazil.
Another notable inclusion is Nabil Bentaleb, the young Tottenham Hotspur prodigy, who had been making waves in the first half of the season before disappearing from the radar in recent months. Despite his reduced playing time, Bentaleb has earned a place in Halilhodzic’s squad, reflecting his potential and the faith the coach has in him.
The inclusion of these two players adds some intrigue to Algeria’s World Cup preparations. Boudebouz’s return to the team comes after a period of uncertainty, while Bentaleb’s call-up is a sign that the coach is looking to incorporate young talent as well as experienced players for the global showcase.
The 30-man list will be trimmed down to 23 players ahead of the World Cup, but the presence of Boudebouz and Bentaleb speaks to Halilhodzic’s desire to keep all options open as he fine-tunes his squad.
As the Fennecs gear up for their Group H matches against Belgium, Russia, and South Korea, all eyes will be on the final selection, with Algeria aiming to make a strong impact on the international stage.
