Algeria’s preparations for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers have been disrupted by the withdrawal of midfielder Ismaël Bennacer due to muscle discomfort.
The Olympique de Marseille player, who had been included in Vladimir Petković’s 26-man squad, is now expected to miss both fixtures against Botswana and Mozambique.
Bennacer had been set to return to the national team this month, but his absence from Marseille’s recent 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain raised concerns over his fitness.
The club’s medical staff confirmed that the former AC Milan midfielder had been left out as a precautionary measure due to muscle pain.
This setback means Bennacer will also remain sidelined for Algeria’s crucial Group G qualifiers.
His absence adds to Algeria’s growing list of injuries, with Houssem Aouar and Baghdad Bounedjah already ruled out. Bennacer has not featured for the Fennecs since September 2024, when Algeria secured a 2-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea.
After struggling with calf problems earlier in the season, his latest setback prolongs his wait for an international return.
Surprise Call-Up from Ligue 2
With Bennacer unavailable, speculation had emerged over potential replacements, with Charleroi’s Yacine Titraoui and Angers midfielder Haris Belkebla among the names mentioned.
However, the Algerian Football Federation is now expected to call up Sohaib Nair from French second-division side En Avant Guingamp.
The 22-year-old central defender has impressed with his performances in Ligue 2, earning a surprise first call-up to the national team.
According to journalist Louis Le Bars, Nair’s strong form since the start of the year has convinced Petković to bring him into the squad ahead of Algeria’s two decisive fixtures.
Algeria will face Botswana in Francistown on Friday before hosting Mozambique in Tizi Ouzou on March 25.
With both matches crucial in the race for a 2026 World Cup spot, the Fennecs will need to adjust quickly to the latest changes in their squad.
Forfait avec l’OM, Ismael Bennacer devrait également être out avec l’Algérie contre Botswana et Mozambique. Après Aouar et Bounedjah, coup dur supplémentaire pour les Fennecs. Si ça se confirme, pourquoi pas voir le retour de Belkebla, joueur fiable. #PSGOM #Algérie
— Nabil Djellit (@Nabil_djellit) March 16, 2025
