Algeria call up Fahem Benaissa-Yahia after Belloumi and Hadjam withdrawals

Bachir Belloumi and Jaouen Hadjam will miss Algeria’s two-match qualifying double-header against Togo, with midfielder Fahem Benaissa-Yahia receiving his first call-up to the national team.

Algeria face Togo on 14 and 17 November in the third and fourth rounds of qualification for CAN 2027.

Belloumi’s withdrawal was confirmed by the Federation algerienne de football (FAF) on Monday, as the Fennecs began their latest training camp. The Hull City player had already been ruled out by his club manager, Sergej Jakirovic, over the weekend.

Hadjam has also been declared unavailable after reporting to the Centre technique national (CTN) in Sidi Moussa for medical assessment. He had been expected to start at left-back in the absence of Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Ait-Nouri was sanctioned after refusing to apologise for his altercation with Brahim Hemdani.

Both Belloumi and Hadjam are expected to return to their respective clubs to continue their treatment.

Benaissa-Yahia has been brought into the squad as Hadjam’s replacement. The 24-year-old Mantova player was included in the extended selection, according to several consistent reports, including one from journalist Samir Kaabouche.

Born in Chalons-en-Champagne, Benaissa-Yahia has never previously represented Algeria at senior level. His call-up does not necessarily mean he will be selected to start against Togo.

There is also uncertainty over goalkeeper Abdelatif Ramdane’s availability. He is grieving the death of his father and could also withdraw from the squad.