The first phase of the World Cup 2026 for the Argentine National Team is finishing taking shape. Algeria confirmed this Sunday the final roster of 26 players who will compete in the World Cup, where they will share Group J with the Albiceleste, Austria and Jordan.
The roster of Bosnian coach Vladimir Petkovic is led by Riyad Mahrez, the main figure of the national team and one of the most important footballers in the country's recent history. The current player of Al-Ahli arrives as the leader of a squad that combines international experience with several established figures in the top European leagues.
Other names that stand out for their experience in European football include Rayan Aït-Nouri, Ramy Bensebaïni, Amine Gouiri, Aïssa Mandi, and Ibrahim Maza. Additionally, the call-up of Luca Zidane, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, is also noteworthy.
On the other hand, the main absentee for the Algerian team will be Ismaël Bennacer, a central midfielder belonging to Milan who is currently on loan at Dinamo Zagreb, mainly due to his physical problems and lack of regularity. Other regular players in Petkovic's call-ups who did not make the final cut were Himad Abdelli, Ilan Kebbal, Alexis Guendouz, Youcef Atal, Saïd Benrahma, and Baghad Bounedjah.
Before the start of the World Cup, the African team will play a single preparatory friendly against the Netherlands on June 3 in Rotterdam. In the tournament, Algeria will open its World Cup participation on June 16 against Argentina at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, then face Jordan on the 23rd at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara and close the group stage against Austria on the 27th again in Kansas City.
With its roster confirmed, the only team in Group J that still needs to be defined is that of the Jordanians, whose players will be announced on June 2, when all the rosters that have not yet been published will be revealed.
The 26 players called up from Algeria for the World Cup 2026
Goalkeepers:
Luca Zidane (Granada)
Oussama Benbot (USM Alger)
Melvin Mastil (Stade Nyonnais)
Abdelatif Ramdane (MC Alger)
Defenders:
Rafik Belghali (Hellas Verona)
Samir Chergui (Paris FC)
Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City)
Jaouen Hadjam (Young Boys)
Aïssa Mandi (Lille)
Ramy Bensebaïni (Borussia Dortmund)
Zineddine Belaïd (JS Kabylie)
