Algeria national team coach Vladimir Petković has unveiled his squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Botswana on March 21 and Mozambique on March 25.
The announcement sees the return of Youcef Belaïli to the national team.
Belaïli makes his comeback
The 26-man squad features several key players, including Riyad Mahrez, Ismaël Bennacer, Amine Gouiri, and Aïssa Mandi.
Belaïli, who has been absent from international duty since January 2024, has been recalled following strong performances at club level.
His inclusion is expected to add creativity and experience to Algeria’s attacking options.
New faces and notable absences
Among the new names in the squad is Anis Hadj Moussa, who has been impressive at Feyenoord and has attracted interest from top European clubs.
He will be joined by Youcef Atal, another key addition to the squad.
Meanwhile, midfielder Houssem Aouar will be unavailable due to injury, marking a setback for Petković’s midfield plans.
Algeria’s qualification campaign
Algeria will look to strengthen their position in the World Cup qualifying group, with Botswana and Mozambique presenting crucial challenges in their bid for a place at the 2026 tournament.
The return of experienced players like Belaïli, alongside a mix of emerging talents, could provide the team with the balance needed to secure positive results in these fixtures.
The squad is expected to gather for training ahead of the double-header, with Petković aiming to fine-tune tactics and team cohesion before heading into these decisive encounters.
قائمة المنتخب الوطني لمبارتي بوتسوانا وموزمبيق لحساب الجولتين 5 و 6 من تصفيات كأس العالم 2026#LesVerts⭐⭐ | #123vivalAlgérie???????? pic.twitter.com/7Wug6dfyRv
— Équipe d’Algérie de football (@LesVerts) March 14, 2025
