Rayan Aït-Nouri and Ramy Bensebaïni have firmly established themselves as Algeria’s undisputed starters on the left side of defence, while uncertainty continues to surround the national team’s options on the right ahead of key international fixtures.
The Club World Cup in the United States has only solidified the standing of the left-footed duo.
Aït-Nouri’s standout display against Juventus, coupled with his ability to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s tactical demands, has underlined why head coach Vladimir Petkovic has placed his trust in the Wolverhampton Wanderers defender.
His performances have brought an end to speculation over who should occupy the left-back role for the Greens.
Similarly, Bensebaïni continues to prove his worth as the most dependable central defender in the current Algeria squad.
Comfortable both in a back four and a three-man defence, the Borussia Dortmund defender has given Petkovic much-needed clarity over half of his backline options as the national side prepares to resume their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign in September with matches against Botswana and Guinea.
While the left side of the defence appears settled, the right remains in flux. Longtime regular Aïssa Mandi no longer offers the same level of assurance, casting doubt over his continued role at centre-back.
The Villarreal defender’s recent performances have lacked the composure and stability that once made him an automatic selection.
Mohamed Amine Tougaï, currently featuring for Espérance de Tunis in the Club World Cup, has yet to make a compelling case for a permanent spot.
Despite three years in the national set-up, his defensive displays have been plagued by inconsistency, and his outing against Chelsea — in a match that confirmed Espérance’s group stage exit — did little to inspire confidence in his abilities at the highest level.
Petkovic may be forced into a decision between two right-sided centre-backs who have yet to fully convince.
The Mandi-Tougaï pairing, increasingly seen as a compromise, offers few guarantees.
Meanwhile, the right-back slot presents its own dilemma.
Youcef Atal, though fit and available, appears to have lost his edge, while Mohamed Farsi continues to climb the ranks.
Farsi’s recent goal for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer, against Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia, was another sign of his growing influence.
His rise did not go unnoticed. Petkovic’s decision to start him against Sweden in Solna — despite Atal being match-ready — signals a potential shift.
With one flank already locked down by the ever-reliable Bensebaïni and Aït-Nouri, the right side remains a puzzle Petkovic must solve ahead of a crucial stretch in Algeria’s international calendar.
