Algeria have officially announced their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a blend of experienced stars and emerging talents set to represent the Desert Foxes on football’s biggest stage.
Leading the squad is captain Riyad Mahrez, who has been named for his second FIFA World Cup appearance. The veteran winger remains one of Algeria’s most influential figures and will be expected to provide leadership and creativity as the North Africans aim to make a strong impact at the tournament.
One of the standout inclusions is highly-rated midfielder Ibrahim Maza, who earns his first-ever World Cup call-up. The young talent’s rapid rise has been rewarded with a place in the final squad, marking a significant milestone in his international career.
However, there was a major surprise among the omissions. Midfield star Ismaël Bennacer has been left out of the squad entirely and will not feature at the tournament. His absence is one of the most notable talking points from the selection and is likely to spark discussion among supporters and analysts alike.
The squad, selected by head coach Vladimir Petković, features a strong defensive core including Aïssa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaïni and Rayan Aït-Nouri, while the attack boasts exciting options such as Amine Gouiri and Mohamed Amine Amoura alongside Mahrez.
With a mix of proven international performers and promising newcomers, Algeria will be hoping their squad has the quality and balance required to compete against the world’s elite when the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway. The inclusion of emerging talents such as Maza signals a new generation ready to complement the established stars as the Desert Foxes chase global success.
