Madjid Bougherra explains Achref Abada’s rise in Algeria squad

Algeria’s assistant national team coach Madjid Bougherra has revealed how defender Achref Abada transformed himself from a little-used squad player into one of the country’s most promising international prospects ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The current USM Alger defender has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past year after impressing during the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar, a tournament that proved decisive in changing perceptions around the player within Algerian football circles.

Abada had previously struggled for opportunities during the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), where he played only six minutes across five matches. However, Bougherra decided to give him a more prominent role during the Arab Cup, a decision that ultimately altered the trajectory of the defender’s career.

The former Algeria international explained that the turning point came during the tournament, particularly after a match against Sudan, where Abada’s display caught the attention of the coaching staff.

“Before the Arab Cup, I wanted to test him against Egypt. That’s when I realized he was ready. I remember after our first match against Sudan, which was average, in the locker room, in front of everyone, I congratulated Abada on his performance because he stood out.

He was a revelation, so I think that motivated him and gave him confidence. And then you saw the Abada you saw. In any case, he has great potential,” said the former Fennecs defender during an interview with AL 24.

Abada’s performances in Qatar quickly elevated his reputation. Strong in duels, physically aggressive and capable of playing out from the back, the Touggourt-born defender soon emerged as a serious option for the senior national team.

According to Bougherra, the player’s development did not happen overnight. He admitted that Abada initially had several tactical weaknesses that needed improvement before he could perform consistently at international level.

“To be honest, it was Zaoui who told me before the start of the season: ‘Madjid, I have a very good defender.’ We followed him. At the beginning, he had many tactical deficiencies, but we sensed a player who knows how to play with the ball and who is very fast, good in one-on-one situations, and explosive.

We took him on and proceeded gradually. We didn’t rush things because we saw potential in him. We integrated him and worked tactically so that he could adapt to the style of play, both offensively and defensively,” reveals Bouggy.

The defender’s rapid progress has now placed him firmly in contention for Algeria’s squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Abada also impressed when deployed at right-back against Guatemala, further highlighting his versatility and determination. After forcing his way into Vladimir Petkovic’s plans, the former MC El-Eulma player is now regarded as one of the emerging figures within the Desert Warriors setup.