Vladimir Petkovic has reportedly reversed his earlier stance and will now include Ramy Bensebaïni, Youcef Belaïli, and Mohamed Amine Tougaï in Algeria’s squad for the upcoming June friendlies against Rwanda and Sweden.
The Desert Foxes will face Rwanda on 5 June in Constantine before travelling to Solna to play Sweden on 10 June.
Initial reports suggested that Petkovic was prepared to rest the trio due to their club commitments in the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off just days after Algeria’s international window.
Esperance de Tunis are scheduled to play Flamengo on 16 June, while Borussia Dortmund meet Fluminense on 17 June.
Concerns had mounted over the proximity of these fixtures, with suggestions that the Algerian boss would spare Bensebaïni, Belaïli and Tougaï in order to allow them to join their clubs early for tournament preparations.’
However, according to La Gazette du Fennec, Petkovic has now opted against that approach.
“Ultimately, the coach has decided not to excuse the three players,” the outlet reported. The change in decision is said to reflect Petkovic’s desire to field a full-strength side—particularly in the match against Sweden, which he views as a key test ahead of crucial competitive fixtures later in the year.
While the encounter with Rwanda may see a degree of squad rotation, the match against Sweden is being treated as a high-stakes preparation opportunity.
Petkovic is reportedly keen to instil a winning mentality and build cohesion within the squad before the World Cup qualification campaign resumes in September and the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco in December.
Info LGDF/Mondial des clubs FIFA 2025 : Petkovic ne délivrera (finalement) pas de dispense #TeamDZ
Lire l’article > https://t.co/hwBdQXJhRi pic.twitter.com/owh0IsZOZS— La Gazette du Fennec (@LGDFennec) May 21, 2025
The Swiss-Bosnian coach, who previously managed Lazio and Bordeaux, is understood to be placing emphasis not only on results but also on laying the groundwork for a consistent starting eleven.
The selection of Bensebaïni, Belaïli and Tougaï is therefore seen as part of a broader strategic vision to solidify Algeria’s core team ahead of a packed international calendar.
Despite the tight scheduling, it appears the trio will be expected to serve national duty before linking up with their respective clubs for the Club World Cup, in what promises to be a demanding month for both player and coach.
