Algeria names 21-player squad for U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Senegal

Algeria’s Under-20 women’s national team has begun its training camp at the Sidi Moussa National Technical Centre ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifying double-header against Senegal.

The camp, which started on Monday, 15 September 2025, will run until 28 September, giving coach Sid Ahmed Mouaz and his staff two weeks to prepare the squad for what promises to be a demanding contest.

Mouaz has selected 21 players for the session, with the group holding its first training on one of the centre’s pitches the same afternoon.

The matches against Senegal form part of the second round of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland, a tournament that will feature 24 nations, with only four African representatives securing a spot.

With such limited places available, every qualifying fixture carries enormous importance for the teams involved.

Algeria will travel to Thiès for the first leg on Saturday, 20 September, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00 p.m. local time. The return leg will then be staged a week later, on Saturday, 27 September, at 8:00 p.m. at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida.

These two encounters will determine whether the Algerian side can continue their journey towards a potential place in Poland.

Coach Mouaz and his technical staff have made clear their determination to instil both discipline and belief in a young squad eager to prove themselves.

The players called up represent a blend of local talent and emerging prospects, all keen to take advantage of the opportunity to showcase their ability at international level.

The significance of this campaign extends well beyond the immediate fixtures. For Algeria, advancing through the qualifying stages would mark an important step in the development of women’s football in the country, where investment and opportunities for young female players have grown steadily in recent years.

The current squad is seen as part of a broader project to strengthen Algeria’s presence on the African stage and eventually secure recognition on the global stage.

While Senegal will pose a stern challenge, the Algerian players are aware that discipline, tactical execution, and collective unity will be crucial.

The camp at Sidi Moussa has been designed to sharpen these aspects, with sessions focused on physical conditioning, technical drills, and tactical rehearsals aimed at ensuring the squad is fully prepared.

Both matches are expected to be fiercely contested, with qualification hopes hanging in the balance. The away leg in Thiès will test Algeria’s ability to perform under pressure in a challenging environment, while the return fixture in Blida could prove decisive, offering the home support a chance to rally behind the team in what may be a pivotal night for Algerian women’s football.

As the countdown continues, Algeria’s young players know the task ahead is demanding but also filled with possibility. Success against Senegal would move them one step closer to Poland 2026, a stage that every player in the squad dreams of reaching.