ALG
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP J · POT 2

Algeria
World Cup 26-man squad

Manager Vladimir Petković · Bosnian-Swiss head coach since 2024 (aged 62). Led Switzerland to EURO 2016 R16 and 2018 World Cup — Lazio and Bordeaux club credentials.
MD1 Jun 16 vs Argentina MD2 Jun 22 vs Jordan MD3 Jun 27 vs Austria
4th World Cup appearance · best finish: Round of 16 (2014)
26
Squad size
26.5
Avg. age
23 / 26
Overseas-based
3 / 23
WC veterans / Debutants
TEAM STORY

Vladimir Petković's (Bosnian-Swiss) Algeria announced their final 26 on May 31. This is Algeria's first World Cup in 12 years (5th overall) — and likely the golden generation's (Mahrez era) final attempt.

Spine: captain Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli, ex-Leicester + Man City CL winner) + Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg, 19 international goals) + Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City, joined 2025) + Ramy Bensebaini (Dortmund) + Aïssa Mandi (Lille, 116 caps) + Nabil Bentaleb (Lille). Ligue 1/Bundesliga/Premier League-loaded — plus the headline addition of Luca Zidane (Granada), son of Zinedine.

Group J opponents: Argentina, Jordan, Austria. June 16 vs ARG (Kansas City Stadium) → June 22 vs JOR (San Francisco Bay Area Stadium) → June 27 vs AUT (Kansas City Stadium). The opening clash with reigning champions Argentina is the toughest test; surpassing the 2014 Round of 16 berth is the realistic target.

PREDICTED XI

LIKELY 4-3-3.

Petković's preferred 4-3-3. Amoura (Wolfsburg, 19 goals) at No.9, Aouar left, captain Mahrez (ex-Man City CL winner) right. Zerrouki anchors with Bentaleb + Chaïbi (Frankfurt) as 8s. Aït-Nouri (Man City) and Belghali at full-back. Veteran CB pair Mandi (Lille) + Bensebaini (Dortmund).

4-3-3 (predicted)
KEY PLAYERS

KEY PLAYERS.

The five players who set the tone in the group stage — by role and trait.

7
RW · FW
Riyad Mahrez
Al-Ahli · 35
114 caps · 38G WC: 2014
Captain & ex-Man City CL winner
CAPTAIN
18
ST · FW
Mohamed Amoura
VfL Wolfsburg · 26 · Bundesliga
44 caps · 19G WC debut
Wolfsburg's striking ace (19 goals)
ACE
15
LB · DF
Rayan Aït-Nouri
Manchester City · 25 · Premier League
27 caps · 0G WC debut
Man City's left-back (joined 2025)
23
GK · GK
Luca Zidane
Granada · 28
6 caps · 0G WC debut
Zidane's son (keeper)
21
LB · DF
Ramy Bensebaini
Borussia Dortmund · 31 · Bundesliga
81 caps · 7G WC debut
Dortmund's left-back
SQUAD

SQUAD 26.

GK GOALKEEPERS 3
DF DEFENDERS 9
MF MIDFIELDERS 7
FW FORWARDS 7
GROUP J

GROUP J.

ARG
Argentina
POT 1
ALG
Algeria
POT 2
AUT
Austria
POT 3
JOR
Jordan
POT 4
Tue, Jun 16
Argentina vs Algeria
Kansas City Stadium · Kansas City, MO
Algeria's first World Cup in 12 years (5th overall) opens in Kansas City against reigning champions Argentina and Messi. Can the veteran CB pair Mandi + Bensebaini hold firm?
View lineups →
MD1
Mon, Jun 22
Jordan vs Algeria
San Francisco Bay Area Stadium · Santa Clara, CA
Clash with debutants Jordan in Santa Clara. Mahrez + Amoura must convert this into three points in the race to advance.
View lineups →
MD2
Sat, Jun 27
Algeria vs Austria
Kansas City Stadium · Kansas City, MO
Group decider vs Austria (Alaba) in Kansas City. A nominally home final-round fixture against the European side that could decide who advances.
View lineups →
MD3

Road to the final

Spoiler-free: the potential bracket route by final group position. No results shown.

Win Group J
  1. Round of 32 Jul 03 · Miami Gardens vs Runners-up Group H
  2. Round of 16 Jul 07 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 88
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 11 · Kansas City vs Winner of Match 96
  4. Semi-finals Jul 15 · Atlanta vs Winner of Match 99
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 101
Runners-up, Group J
  1. Round of 32 Jul 02 · Inglewood vs Winners Group H
  2. Round of 16 Jul 06 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 83
  3. Quarter-finals Jul 10 · Inglewood vs Winner of Match 94
  4. Semi-finals Jul 14 · Arlington vs Winner of Match 97
  5. Final Jul 19 · East Rutherford vs Winner of Match 102
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