Algeria may be forced to contend with the absence of three first-team regulars during their June international friendlies, as Ramy Bensebaïni, Youcef Belaïli and Mohamed Amine Tougaï face potential clashes with their clubs’ Club World Cup preparations.
The Fennecs are scheduled to play Rwanda and Sweden on 5 and 10 June, respectively, as part of their preparations under head coach Vladimir Petkovic.
However, the proximity of these fixtures to the start of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on 15 June in the United States, may lead to the withdrawal of the three players from national duty.
According to La Gazette du Fennec, the trio are likely to prioritise their commitments with their respective clubs: Bensebaïni with Borussia Dortmund, and Belaïli and Tougaï with Tunisian giants Espérance de Tunis.
The German and Tunisian clubs are both scheduled to begin their Club World Cup campaigns in the tournament’s opening week. Esperance face Flamengo on 16 June, while Dortmund are set to meet Fluminense a day later.
This narrow five-day gap between Algeria’s friendly against Sweden and the opening matches of the Club World Cup presents a logistical and physical challenge.
With little recovery or transition time, clubs may opt to retain their players early to avoid fatigue or injury, particularly following the intensity of a long domestic season.
While FIFA regulations grant international teams the authority to call up players during designated windows, the final decision could rest with the Algerian Football Federation.
Officials may be compelled to weigh the national team’s short-term needs against the potential long-term benefits of allowing players to compete on a prestigious global stage.
The situation poses a difficult dilemma, especially regarding Bensebaïni, a mainstay in Algeria’s defence.
The Borussia Dortmund left-back has been instrumental in both his club and country’s recent campaigns and is widely regarded as one of Algeria’s most reliable performers.
Losing him for the friendlies would be a significant blow to Petkovic’s defensive plans.
Youcef Belaïli, recently reintegrated into the national squad after a period of absence, also stands to lose crucial time in re-establishing himself within the setup.
The forward has shown flashes of his past brilliance and will be eager to cement his return under the new coaching regime.
His absence would interrupt that progress and potentially complicate his status moving forward.
For Mohamed Amine Tougaï, the situation is even more precarious. The Espérance defender already missed Algeria’s March fixtures due to injury, and a second consecutive absence could place his role as a defensive leader under scrutiny.
Petkovic may be forced to look elsewhere for continuity and stability in central defence if Tougaï is once again unavailable.
With Algeria’s broader objectives including qualification campaigns and tournament preparations taking shape, the upcoming friendlies provide vital opportunities for cohesion and tactical experimentation.
The possible loss of three key squad members could disrupt those plans and force the coaching staff to reassess their short-term approach.
The Algerian Football Federation is now expected to make a decision in the coming weeks, balancing player welfare, national priorities and club considerations in a complex situation with no easy resolution.
As the countdown to June begins, the Algerian camp will be watching developments closely.
