As Algeria prepares to resume their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, the search for a reliable right-back remains a pressing concern. Amid this uncertainty, a playful moment involving Algerian stars Amine Gouiri and Ismaël Bennacer offered fans a humorous twist, as they jokingly “recruited” their Olympique de Marseille teammate Amar Dedić for the national team.
The incident unfolded during a signing session organized by the Marseille club, where Bennacer, accompanied by Gouiri, playfully introduced the Bosnian right-back as Algeria’s latest defensive reinforcement.
“We have found our new right-back for the Algerian selection!” Bennacer declared, sparking laughter from fans before adding, “It’s Dedić! He will show you what he is made of with Marseille this season, then he will prove himself with Algeria.”
Dedić, clearly in on the joke, responded with a wide grin, “I am Algerian too!” while holding the Algerian flag alongside his two North African teammates.
The light-hearted exchange quickly made its rounds on social media, drawing smiles from Algerian supporters, who have been closely following the ongoing right-back dilemma within the national squad.
A Position in Flux
The right-back role has long been a problem area for Algeria. While Youcef Atal remains a fan favorite due to his skill and attacking flair, his recurring injury struggles have often left the position exposed.
Mohamed Farsi, a more offensive-minded player, has been tested in recent fixtures but operates more effectively as a wing-back rather than a traditional right-back.
With these challenges in mind, Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic experimented with a 3-5-2 formation during the team’s last two matches—both of which were successful.
However, should the Fennecs revert to a four-man defensive line, the right flank could once again become a tactical concern.
This context made Bennacer and Gouiri’s joke about “recruiting” Dedić all the more amusing for fans aware of the team’s ongoing defensive struggles.
Dedić: A Talent Spoken For
Though the playful suggestion sparked excitement among some fans, there is no chance of Dedić donning Algeria’s colors.
The 21-year-old right-back is already an established international for Bosnia-Herzegovina and has made significant strides in his career, first with Red Bull Salzburg and now with Marseille, where he has impressed early in the season.
His Arabic first name, Amar—meaning “faithful” or “persevering”—only added to the humor of the situation, with fans briefly imagining what could have been if Dedić were eligible for the Fennecs.
A Moment of Levity Amid Serious Ambitions
Despite the light-hearted nature of the joke, the issue of finding a long-term solution at right-back remains serious for Algeria as they set their sights on both the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Petkovic and his staff continue to evaluate potential options, aware that defensive stability will be crucial in navigating the challenges ahead.
For now, though, the playful camaraderie between Gouiri, Bennacer, and Dedić offered Algerian fans a welcome moment of levity, demonstrating the strong bonds formed at club level—even when national allegiances differ.
