Algeria include five new faces for Olympic qualifying campaign

Nesrine Bahlouli has been named in Algeria’s 26-player squad for the African qualifiers for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, following her decision to represent the country.

The 23-year-old Al-Nassr midfielder, who previously played for France from Under-19 to Under-23 level, was included by Algeria head coach Farid Benstiti as expected.

Bahlouli, the sister of Fares Bahlouli and Mohamed Bahlouli of US Biskra, is one of five new players selected for the qualifiers.

She is joined by Celina Ould Hocine, 24, of Paris FC, Olympique de Marseille forward Sarah Compaore, 19, and 19-year-old RC Lens player Celia Aggoune. All three have previously spent time in the French youth system.

The fifth newcomer is 23-year-old Anais Oularbi, formerly of the France Espoirs setup and now with Vancouver Rise.

Emma Smaali, 26, of Lens, has also returned to the squad after she was left out of Algeria’s team for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The selection otherwise retains the core of the side which secured a historic third-place finish at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in mid-August.

That group includes goalkeeper Chloe N’Gazi, as well as Ines Boutaleb, Melline D’Oria, Ines Belloumou, Morgane Belkhiter, Lana Smits Ouraghi, Melissa Bethi, Marine Dafeur, Amira Ould Braham and Sofia Bekhaled.

Lina Boussaha, who scored against Morocco in the third-place play-off, is also included, alongside Lynda Bendris, Ines Khiri and Ikram Adjabi.

Amira Benaissa, Lea Abadou, Sofia Guellati, Roselene Khezami, Morgane Ikene and Khouloud Ournani have been left out of the squad.

Algeria will begin their Olympic qualifying campaign against Central African Republic on 9 October. The second leg will take place four days later at the 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers.