Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi has unveiled the 23-man squad that will represent the country at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt, scheduled from June 21 to July 19. The list, announced on Thursday, May 30, contains a mix of experienced veterans and exciting young talent, with several surprises, particularly in midfield.
Belmadi’s selection shows a clear intention to balance youth and experience. In midfield, Nabil Bentaleb, who has struggled for form at Schalke, and Saphir Taïder, whose recent performances for Algeria have been inconsistent, were omitted. Their absence paves the way for emerging talents such as Ismaël Bennacer, Haris Belkebka, and Hicham Boudaoui. These youngsters will be supported by seasoned players including Mehdi Abeid, Sofiane Feghouli, and Adlène Guedioura, creating a blend of energy, creativity, and stability in the central areas of the pitch. Boudaoui, just 19 years old and a product of Paradou AC—the same club that developed Bensebaïni and Atal—is one to watch closely, already being regarded as a promising future star for the national team.
In attack, Algeria retains most of its key figures, with Riyad Mahrez, Baghdad Bounedjah, Yacine Brahimi, and others providing firepower and experience. However, there are notable absences: Hilal Soudani is sidelined with a knee injury, while Ishak Belfodil was not recalled. Another key omission is Andy Delort, whose failure to complete the necessary change of sporting nationality within the CAF deadline likely explains his absence from the squad. Despite these gaps, Belmadi has assembled a competitive lineup capable of challenging for the title.
The team will begin preparations on Monday, June 3, at the National Technical Center in Sidi Moussa, before traveling to Doha, Qatar, on June 8 for two friendly matches. Algeria will face Burundi on June 11 and Mali on June 16, providing an opportunity to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion ahead of the tournament. Following their warm-up matches, the squad will travel to Cairo on June 18 to finalize preparations before their AFCON campaign begins.
Algeria is drawn in Group C, based in Cairo, alongside Senegal, Kenya, and Tanzania. Their campaign opens against Kenya on June 23, followed by a clash with Senegal on June 27, and concludes the group stage against Tanzania on July 1. With this schedule, the Greens face a challenging start, particularly against Senegal, one of the tournament favorites, but the mix of experienced campaigners and talented youngsters could prove decisive.
The 23-man squad includes:
Goalkeepers: Rais M’Bolhi, Alexandre Oukidja, Azzedine Doukha
Defenders: Faouzi Zeffane, Ramy Bensebaïni, Youcef Atal, Oussama Fares, Aïssa Mandi, Djamel Benlamri, Carl Medjani Halliche, Saad Tahrat
Midfielders: Sofiane Feghouli, Ismaël Bennacer, Haris Belkebka, Hicham Boudaoui, Mehdi Abeid, Adlène Guedioura
Forwards: Riyad Mahrez, Adam Ounas, Yacine Brahimi, Baghdad Bounedjah, Islam Belaïli, Islam Slimani
Belmadi’s squad reflects a careful strategy of blending youth, creativity, and experience, aiming to make a strong impression at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. With key preparations underway, Algeria will look to open the tournament with confidence, building momentum as they target a deep run in Egypt.
