Hemdani reshapes Algeria squad with 12 World Cup absentees

Brahim Hemdani has made an immediate statement as Algeria manager, leaving out 12 players selected by Vladimir Petkovic for the 2026 World Cup in his first squad.

The new coach has named 26 players for Algeria’s opening two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The Fennecs host Zambia at the Hocine-Ait-Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou on 25 September before travelling to face Burundi on 29 September. Their international window will conclude with a friendly against Niger in Tizi Ouzou on 6 October.

Riyad Mahrez and Aissa Mandi are absent after retiring from international football. Hemdani has also omitted Houssem Aouar, Oussama Benbot, Ramiz Zerrouki, Hicham Boudaoui, Fares Ghedjemis and Mohamed Amine Tougai, with the new manager’s selection decisions and disrupted transfer situations affecting some of those players.

Luca Zidane and Rafik Belghali are unavailable for a different reason. Both are serving two-match suspensions imposed after disciplinary action following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Yacine Titraoui, who recently joined Lens, and forward Nadhir Benbouali miss out because of injuries.

Several familiar faces return

Rather than introducing a large number of new players, Hemdani’s staff have recalled several footballers who were absent from Algeria’s most recent squads.

Goalkeepers Abdelatif Ramdane and Kilian Belazzoug are back in contention, while defenders Ahmed Touba and Sohaib Nair also return. The most unexpected inclusion is Saadi Radouani of USM Alger, who has only one international appearance, dating back to 2024.

Radouani benefits from Belghali’s suspension, but his selection ahead of Kevin Guitoun could attract attention given Guitoun’s strong form with Charleroi.

The midfield includes the return of Himad Abdelli, who has been receiving more playing time at OM, as well as Adil Aouchiche and Adem Zorgane.

In attack, Hemdani has recalled Bachir Belloumi, who has been in outstanding form for Hull City in the Premier League and recently scored twice against Chelsea. Monsef Bakrar, Amin Chiakha, who has continued to score for Rosenborg, and Ilan Kebbal are also back in the squad.

Despite scoring three goals in four matches for Al-Shamal, Baghdad Bounedjah has again been left out. At 34, he no longer appears to form part of Hemdani’s plans for the future.

The manager has retained a core of players from Algeria’s World Cup campaign, including Ramy Bensebaini, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Ibrahim Maza, Amine Gouiri, Mohamed Amoura, Anis Hadj Moussa, Fares Chaibi and goalkeeper Melvin Mastil. Nabil Bentaleb has also avoided the widespread changes made in Hemdani’s first selection.