Algeria World Cup 2026 squad: Vladimir Petkovic's final 26-man selection (original) (raw)

Algeria World Cup 2026 squad: Riyad Mahrez in action for Algeria against Burkina Faso at the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2024.

Riyad Mahrez in action for Algeria against Burkina Faso (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Algeria World Cup 2026 squad has been announced ahead of the nation's first World Cup appearance in 12 years.

Vladimir Petkovic hasn't named one of the strongest squads at the tournament but there are recognisable names dotted throughout the roster he selected on the back of friendlies against Guatemala and Uruguay in Italy in March.

With World Cup 2026 now upon us and group opponents Argentina among the World Cup favourites, Petkovic and Algeria will feel they have a point to prove after two tournaments away from the spotlight.

Algeria had a busy December and January. They topped their group at the Arab Cup before losing on penalties to the United Arab Emirates in the second round, followed by the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

They won their group there too, going on to beat DR Congo in the round of 16 but lose 2-0 to Nigeria in the quarter-finals. A big win over Guatemala and a draw with Uruguay followed in Algeria's March friendlies, while a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands at the start of June supercharged their preparations.

Riyad Mahrez will finally get his shot on a truly world stage after lighting it up in the Premier League and Champions League for several years, before a move to the Middle East.

He has an exciting supporting cast that includes Premier League star Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marseille forward Amine Gouiri and Luca Zidane, Zinedine's goalkeeping son. Zidane has been selected despite breaking his jaw and chin in April.

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Squad

Algeria's World Cup 2026 squad: The final selection

Fixtures

Recent Results

Group J standings

Algeria are in Group J at World Cup 2026.

Manager

Who is Algeria's manager?

Vladimir Petkovic is undertaking his second international management role in the shape of Algeria.

Between 2014 and 2021 he was in charge of the Swiss national team, leading them in the 2016 and delayed 2020 European Championships, as well as the 2018 World Cup.

He's been in charge of Algeria since February 2024 after they parted with Djamel Belmadi following a second consecutive AFCON where they failed to make it out the group.

Star player

Who is Algeria's star player?

Algeria AFCON 2023 squad: Algeria's Riyad Mahrez is fighting for the ball during the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group D football match between Algeria and Angola at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Ivory Coast, on January 15, 2024. (Photo by Anis / APP)

Riyad Mahrez in action for Algeria against Angola at the Africa Cup of Nations in January 2024. (Image credit: Getty Images)

For many years Riyad Mahrez lit up the Premier League. In 2016, he was part of the Leicester side who achieved the unthinkable in winning England's top flight, and was named the PFA Player of the Year after recording 17 goals and 10 assists.

He now plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Ahli and won the AFC Champions League with them in the 2024-25 season.

He's still the lynchpin of this Algeria side, and much of their success on the pitch comes when he is playing well.

Best XI

Ewan is a freelance writer and social media manager who has worked for The Athletic, GOAL, 90min and OneFootball. From Gelsenkirchen to Riyadh, he has covered some of the biggest games in football in his three years in the industry.