‘We have our responsibility’: Ilan Kebbal refuses to blame Vladimir Petkovic

Algeria forward Ilan Kebbal has defended former manager Vladimir Petkovic, despite being given limited opportunities under the Swiss-Bosnian coach and then left out of the squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Kebbal made his Algeria debut under Petkovic on 14 October 2025, when he was introduced against Uganda. However, the Paris FC attacking player made only four appearances in total during Petkovic’s reign and was never named in the starting XI.

The 28-year-old was subsequently omitted from Algeria’s squad for the World Cup, which takes place in June and July. Despite that disappointment, Kebbal did not strongly question Petkovic’s decisions during an interview with influencer Just Riadh.

Instead, the Marseille-born player suggested that the responsibility did not rest entirely with the coach, reflecting the sentiment: “We have our responsibility.”

Kebbal also spoke of his attachment to Algeria and the national team before explaining, from his own perspective, how representing his club differs from playing for the Fennecs.

During the interview, he identified Ibrahim Maza and Rayan Ait-Nouri as the Algeria players who impress him most. He also highlighted Anis Hadj Moussa and Bachir Belloumi.

Kebbal was recalled by Brahim Hemdani for the most recent international break, which was the first camp overseen by the former defensive midfielder. He made his first start for Algeria in a friendly against Niger on 6 October, playing 61 minutes in a 2-1 victory.

However, his place in the next squad is reportedly uncertain. According to journalist Samir Kaabouche, Kebbal may not be selected for Algeria’s double-header against Togo on 14 and 17 November.

Those matches will be the third and fourth fixtures in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.