Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic has defended his squad choices for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Botswana and Mozambique after facing criticism over several selections.
The Swiss-Bosnian manager addressed concerns during a press conference, explaining his reasoning behind some of the more contentious inclusions and omissions.
Benrahma’s Selection Despite Playing in Saudi Second Division
One of the most debated decisions was the inclusion of Saïd Benrahma, who is currently on loan at Saudi second-tier side NEOM SC from Olympique Lyonnais.
The 28-year-old winger, who recently missed a penalty for his club, has struggled to impress with the national team, leading some to question his continued selection.
Petkovic, however, was quick to defend his choice, dismissing concerns over Benrahma’s form.
“I’ve seen the discussions surrounding Benrahma, but he remains an important player for us. His performances with the national team make him a key part of our setup.
Just because he has been in Saudi Arabia for two months doesn’t mean he has lost his abilities. In fact, he’s in better shape than he was at Lyon,” the coach explained.
Petkovic suggested that Benrahma’s experience and technical ability still make him a valuable asset, despite the lower level of competition in Saudi Arabia.
Oukidja Included Despite Lack of Game Time
Another controversial call was the selection of goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja, who has not played a single minute for FC Metz since the start of the year.
Meanwhile, USM Alger’s Oussama Benbot, who has been in strong form, was initially overlooked before being called up as a replacement following Anthony Mandréa’s withdrawal.
Addressing this decision, Petkovic emphasized the importance of continuity in squad selection.
“Oukidja is part of this group, and he remains integrated within the squad. We want to maintain consistency and support players who are going through difficult periods at their clubs,” he said.
He also pushed back against the argument that players without regular game time should automatically be excluded from selection.
“I’ve never said that a player lacking minutes wouldn’t be called up. If the situation persists, of course, it will be taken into account. But I have always considered players who may be struggling at club level but remain important to us,” he added.
Boulbina Overlooked Despite Impressive Form
Perhaps the most surprising omission was Adil Boulbina, the top scorer in the Algerian league with 15 goals for Paradou AC.
The 21-year-old forward has been in prolific form, including scoring again over the weekend against CS Constantine, yet he was not included in Petkovic’s squad.
When questioned on this, the coach urged patience and suggested that Boulbina’s time would come.
“You’re thinking about Boulbina, I assume. There are some very promising players in Ligue 1, and we’ve been monitoring many of them.
He’s a key player for Paradou, but he’s still young, just starting his career. Right now, not calling him up is the best decision for his development,” Petkovic stated.
He assured that the door remains open for Boulbina and other emerging talents but stressed the need for sustained performance over time.
“Players who continue to stand out will always have an opportunity with the national team. The door is open, and we are watching,” he concluded.
A Balancing Act for Algeria’s Squad
Petkovic’s selections reflect a blend of experience and long-term planning, but his decisions have sparked debate among Algerian supporters.
With crucial qualifiers approaching, his squad choices will be put to the test as Algeria seeks to maintain momentum on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
