Algeria women’s national team head coach Farid Benstiti has officially announced a 26-player squad for the pre-Africa Cup of Nations training camp, which commenced on Saturday in Oran.
The camp is part of Algeria’s final preparations for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (postponed to 2025), set to be hosted in Morocco from July 5 to 26.
The squad gathered in Sidi Moussa on Friday before making their way to Oran on Saturday, with a few players expected to join by Sunday at the latest.
The training camp will run until June 22 and is considered the last major opportunity for tactical adjustments and final team cohesion before the competition begins.
Algeria will open their tournament campaign on July 6 against Botswana, before facing Tunisia in a much-anticipated North African derby on July 10.
The fixtures are expected to be key tests for the squad’s readiness and tactical maturity as they aim to make a strong impact in Morocco.
Benstiti has largely maintained the core of his team, emphasising continuity and cohesion over drastic changes. His approach has consistently prioritised team unity and a collective mindset, and this latest squad reflects that philosophy.
However, a few notable returns have caught attention—most significantly that of Lina Chebel, who had been absent from previous call-ups. Other returning names include Inès Khelif, Assia Naili, and JS Kabylie goalkeeper Siham Haleyi.
The squad blends domestic talents with players plying their trade abroad. Notable overseas-based players include Lina Belloumou from Sweden’s Malmö FF, Lilia Boubezzari of Torengruppen FF in Norway, and Sarah Boutaleb of France’s FC Metz. Their inclusion offers valuable international experience and technical depth to the squad.
Experienced figures such as Myriam Guellati, Keltoum Karchouni, and Naïma Smaali are also part of the roster, expected to provide leadership on and off the pitch.
Several players from the previous edition of the continental competition have retained their places, including Chebel, Sabrina Belkhiter, and Boutaleb, reflecting Benstiti’s desire to rely on proven performers as the tournament approaches.
Algeria booked their place in the 15th edition of the Women’s AFCON with an emphatic qualification campaign. They defeated Burundi 5–1 in the first leg before sealing their spot with a 1–0 victory in the return leg at the July 5 Stadium in Algiers last December. That commanding performance raised expectations for a team eager to go beyond the group stages this time around.
With a balanced group of emerging talent and seasoned players, and buoyed by the return of key figures, Algeria will enter the 2024 tournament with quiet confidence.
The squad’s preparation in Oran will be critical as they aim not only to be competitive but to emerge as one of the surprise packages of the competition.
Benstiti’s squad selection and training methods in the coming weeks will now come under scrutiny, as Algeria looks to build momentum ahead of what could be a defining tournament for women’s football in the country.
قائمة المنتخب الوطني للسيدات المعنية بالتربص التحضيري من 14 إلى 22 جوان الجاري بمدينة وهران#LesVertes | #123VivaLAlgérie🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/WvvP9rLw1P
— Fédération Algérienne de Football (@FAFAlgeria) June 14, 2025
