Algeria announces provisional World Cup squad

Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic (C) attends a press conference announcing the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad in Algiers, Algeria, on May 31, 2026. Vladimir Petkovic on Sunday named a 27-man preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with veteran winger Riyad Mahrez and goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of French football great Zinedine Zidane, among the headline selections. (Photo: Xinhua)

ALGIERS, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic on Sunday named a 27-man preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with veteran winger Riyad Mahrez and goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of French football great Zinedine Zidane, among the headline selections.

Mahrez, Algeria's captain and one of the country's most decorated players, leads a squad that also includes Premier League defender Rayan Ait-Nouri, midfielder Houssem Aouar and forward Amine Gouiri.

Luca Zidane, a goalkeeper who has represented Algeria at international level through his family heritage, was one of four goalkeepers selected by Petkovic in the provisional roster.

The squad will be trimmed before Algeria submits its final roster for the tournament.

The provisional squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Luca Zidane, Oussama Benbot, Melvin Mastil, Abdelatif Ramdane;

Defenders: Rafik Belghali, Samir Chergui, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Jaouen Hadjam, Aissa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini, Zineddine Belaid, Achref Abada, Mohamed Amine Tougai;

Midfielders: Nabil Bentaleb, Hicham Boudaoui, Houssem Aouar, Fares Chaibi, Ibrahim Maza, Yacine Titraoui, Ramiz Zerrouki;

Forwards: Mohamed Amoura, Nadhir Benbouali, Adil Boulbina, Fares Ghedjemis, Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa, Riyad Mahrez.

Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic attends a press conference announcing the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad in Algiers, Algeria, on May 31, 2026. Vladimir Petkovic on Sunday named a 27-man preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with veteran winger Riyad Mahrez and goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of French football great Zinedine Zidane, among the headline selections. (Photo: Xinhua)