Algeria plan special farewell for Riyad Mahrez and Aissa Mandi

Riyad Mahrez and Aissa Mandi could be given a ceremonial farewell by Algeria during the first international break of new manager Brahim Hemdani’s tenure.

The two players are not expected to return to the squad, but the Federation Algerienne de Football (FAF) is reportedly preparing a special invitation for the pair, according to Winwin.

Mahrez and Mandi ended their international careers after Algeria’s elimination by Switzerland in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup. Neither player received a formal farewell in front of the Algerian public, and the proposed initiative would give supporters the opportunity to honour two of the leading figures of the past decade.

Hemdani’s first camp is scheduled to run from 21 September to 7 October and already includes two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and a friendly match. The FAF is understood to want to use the period to recognise Mahrez and Mandi, who were both members of Algeria’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations-winning side.

The invitation would be symbolic rather than competitive. Neither player is expected to feature in Hemdani’s first squad, with their involvement intended solely to mark their contribution to the national team.

Mahrez announced his retirement shortly after the defeat by Switzerland, while Mandi followed several weeks later. Mahrez made 119 appearances for Algeria and Mandi won 122 caps, with both players spanning more than a decade with the Fennecs and appearing at two World Cups.

Mahrez was one of the defining players of the 2019 triumph, with his stoppage-time free-kick against Nigeria in the semi-final remaining one of the tournament’s most memorable moments. Mandi, meanwhile, provided long-term consistency in defence and became one of the most-capped players in Algerian football history.

Former team-mate Islam Slimani called this week for both players to receive proper recognition.

“They are two players who have marked the history of Algeria. […] They are players who deserve a tribute,” he said.

The proposed tribute would come as Hemdani and Anthar Yahia begin shaping the next Algeria team, allowing the new management team to start its tenure by acknowledging two important members of the previous generation.

Several other experienced players could also feature around the camp. Baghdad Bounedjah, Youcef Belaili and Yacine Brahimi are reportedly included in the extended squad, although their places in the final group remain uncertain.

Algeria will host Zambia in Tizi Ouzou on 25 September before travelling to Bujumbura to face Burundi on 29 September. The camp will conclude with a match against Niger at Stade Hocine-Ait-Ahmed on 6 October.

One of those fixtures could therefore provide Mahrez and Mandi with a final opportunity to appear before Algeria supporters in the colours of the Fennecs this time as honoured former internationals rather than players.