Top five players left out of Algeria's FIFA World Cup 2026 final squad ft. Youcef Atal & Ismaël Bennacer
(Courtesy : Getty)
Riyad Mahrez has been called up to the roster.
To create history, Algeria will compete in their fifth FIFA World Cup in 2026. This generation, distinguished by winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, probably offers the final big chance for a group that elevated Algerian football and made the nation a major force on the continent.
After missing the FIFA World Cup twice in a row, the Greens are back, which has put a lot of pressure on the nation’s football scene. Missing the previous editions was seen as a significant setback for a national squad with players with international experience.
With many big names included in the roster, there are also some notable absences in the squad. Below, we take a look.
List of players missing from Algeria’s FIFA World Cup squad
| Rank | Player | Club |
| 5 | Baghdad Bounedjah | Al-Shamal |
| 4 | Ilan Kebbal | Paris FC |
| 3 | Adem Zorgane | Union Saint-Gilloise |
| 2 | Ismaël Bennacer | Dinamo Zagreb (on loan) |
| 1 | Youcef Atal | Al Sadd |
5. Baghdad Bounedjah
After making his senior debut for the Greens in 2014, Baghdad Bounedjah has competed for his country in Africa Cup of Nations competitions as well as the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Manager Vladimir Petković excluded veteran Al-Shamal striker Baghdad Bounedjah and Ismaël Bennacer from The Greens’ official World Cup squad due to a combination of tactical changes and disciplinary concerns following reported issues during the Africa Cup of Nations.
4. Ilan Kebbal
Notably, Vladimir Petković’s Algerian national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup does not include Ilan Kebbal. The 27-year-old playmaker was excluded from the national team’s training camp in Sidi Moussa despite having an outstanding club season with Paris FC in Ligue 1.
Algerian supporters and commentators were deeply irritated by the decision, particularly in light of Kebbal’s exceptional performances and innovative contributions to his club team.
3. Adem Zorgane
The Greens’ 26-man FIFA World Cup team did not include Adem Zorgane. The Union Saint-Gilloise midfielder was left out of the squad by head coach Vladimir Petkovic in favour of other midfield alternatives, such as the returning Nabil Bentaleb.
2. Ismaël Bennacer
Ismaël Bennacer’s lack of match fitness and ongoing physical setbacks prevented him from being called up to the Greens’ final squad for the FIFA World Cup.
Following Bennacer’s recovery from a serious knee injury, Algeria’s head coach Vladimir Petkovic made the decision, citing the midfielder’s lack of preparation and additional health issues. Petkovic thought it would be too dangerous to bring the player to the competition.
1. Youcef Atal
Due to an Achilles tendon rupture sustained during a club match, Youcef Atal has been left out of the Algerian national team squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.
His season was cut short by this serious injury, and he was not called up. Although he was included on manager Vladimir Petkovic’s preliminary 2026 World Cup roster.
Which big name has been dropped from the Algerian squad?
Ismaël Bennacer.
Which World Cup group are they in?
They are in group J.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.