Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic is again dealing with a shortage at right-back, reviving a long-standing issue for the national side as preparations continue for the 2026 World Cup.
For years, the position has forced successive coaches to improvise.
Before the emergence of Youcef Atal, wide midfielders and attacking players were regularly moved deeper to cover the role.
Among those used as stop-gap solutions were Foued Kadir, Madjid Bougherra, Karim Matmour, Mehdi Mostefa and Aïssa Mandi.
Now, under Vladimir Petkovic, the same concerns have resurfaced, with available options increasingly limited.
Injuries deepen uncertainty
Recent months briefly offered optimism, particularly with the arrival of Samir Chergui and Rafik Belghali, while Atal remained an emergency alternative.
However, events since the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco have reversed that outlook.
Atal, now at Al Sadd SC, underwent Achilles tendon surgery and will not play again this season.
Chergui continues to struggle with an injury first sustained in December and aggravated during the tournament.
Belghali also suffered a setback in his first match back with Hellas Verona after finishing the continental competition injured.
With the March international break approaching, the coaching staff must consider alternative solutions.
Another previous experiment involved Jaouen Hadjam, who was tested on the right against Mozambique in March 2025.
He is still recovering from a serious ankle sprain suffered during the Africa Cup of Nations, including ligament damage that has prolonged his absence.
Searching for alternatives
Possible replacements exist but remain uncertain. Mohamed Farsi of Columbus Crew has previously been called up by Petkovic and could be considered again.
Mohamed Réda Helaïmia of MC Alger is also viewed as a potential candidate.
The issue is particularly pressing with Algeria preparing for what would be their fifth World Cup appearance.
The coaching staff must identify two reliable full-backs for the 26-man squad, but injuries have left the position unsettled once more.
Until players return to fitness, the national team faces a familiar problem — finding stability in a role that has troubled multiple generations of coaches.
