Algeria's World Cup squad: Early squad news as Petkovic gathers players
Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic has gathered his players at Sidi Moussa ahead of Sunday's official World Cup squad announcement. Luca Zidane is present, while Ismaël Bennacer and others are out.
Algeria's national team has begun their World Cup preparations, even though the official squad list will only be revealed on Sunday, May 31. Head coach Vladimir Petkovic gathered a group of players at the Sidi Moussa technical center early this week to assess their physical condition after a grueling season.
Among those present was goalkeeper Luca Zidane. Despite suffering a broken jaw and chin in April during a Spanish second-division match, he has been called up for the gathering, with Petkovic selecting five goalkeepers due to ongoing uncertainty in the position.
Meanwhile, those missing from the squad have become clear. Beyond Ilan Kebbal, the coaching staff opted against including veterans and core players such as Baghdad Bounedjah and Ismaël Bennacer. Bennacer, currently playing for Dinamo Zagreb, expressed confusion over the decision, stating he felt physically ready for the tournament.
Conversely, Nabil Bentaleb, who enjoyed a successful season with Lille following his health issues, has made his return to the national team after missing the recent Africa Cup of Nations.