Genoa and Turin, Italy, will play host to the Algerian national football team next month as they ramp up preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Desert Foxes will face Guatemala on March 27th and Uruguay on March 31st in a pair of crucial friendly matches, announced by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF).
Blending Experience and New Talent
Head coach Vladimir Petkovic has named a 27-man squad that balances established stars with emerging talent. Riyad Mahrez, despite being 35 years old, remains a key figure, having shown decent form at the recent CAN 2025 tournament with three goals. Alongside Mahrez, familiar faces like Rayan Aït-Nouri, Anis Hadj Moussa, Aissa Mandi, Houssem Aouar, and Amine Gouiri will be looking to solidify their places in the squad. Luca Zidane is also included in the roster.
Perhaps surprisingly, Petkovic has also called up six players who are yet to earn a senior international cap: Nadhir Benbouali, Adil Aouchiche, Farès Ghedjemis, Kilian Belazzoug, Melvin Mastil, and Achraf Abada. These call-ups signal an opportunity for the next generation of Algerian footballers to make their mark on the international stage.
Full Squad List
Goalkeepers
- Kilian Belazzoug (Stade Rennais)
- Anthony Mandrea (Caen)
- Melvin Mastil (Stade Nyonnais)
- Luca Zidane (Grenade)
Defenders
- Achref Abada (USM Alger)
- Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City)
- Zinnedine Belaid (JS Kabylie)
- Rafik Belghali (Hellas Verona)
- Ramy Bensebaini (Dortmund)
- Mehdi Dorval (Bari)
- Aissa Mandi (Lille)
- Sohaïb Naïr (Guingamp)
Midfielders
- Hicham Boudaoui (Nice)
- Yacine Titraoui (Charleroi)
- Ramiz Zerrouki (Twente)
- Houssem Aouar (Ittihad)
- Adil Aouchiche (Schalke)
- Farès Chaïbi (Eintracht Frankfurt)
- Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards
- Mohammed Amoura (Wolfsburg)
- Adil Boulbina (Al-Duhail)
- Farès Ghedjemis (Frosinone)
- Anis Hadj Moussa (Feyenoord)
- Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli)
- Nadhir Benbouali (Győri ETO FC)
- Amine Gouiri (Marseille)
- Amin Chiakha (Rosenborg)
Match Details and Venue Information
The first of these preparatory matches will see Algeria take on Guatemala at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa on Friday, March 27th, with an 8:30 PM local time (CET) kickoff. Four days later, on Tuesday, March 31st, the Desert Foxes will face a tougher test against Uruguay at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, also at 8:30 PM local time (CET). These matches provide a valuable opportunity for Petkovic to assess his squad’s readiness for the challenges ahead.
For Algerian fans, the matches in Italy represent a chance to see their national team in action on European soil as they build momentum towards the World Cup. The time difference for viewers in Algeria will be significant – 9:30 PM for the Guatemala match and 10:30 PM for the Uruguay match.
World Cup Group Stage Outlook
Algeria has been drawn into Group J for the 2026 World Cup, alongside Argentina, Austria, and Jordan. Facing the reigning World Cup champions, Argentina, will undoubtedly be a stern test, while matches against Austria and Jordan will be crucial in determining their chances of progressing to the knockout stages. These upcoming friendlies against Guatemala and Uruguay are therefore vital in preparing the team for the diverse challenges that await them in the tournament.
The inclusion of both experienced players and newcomers suggests Petkovic is keen to build a squad with both tactical flexibility and depth. The matches in Italy will be a key indicator of whether this blend of experience and youth can translate into success on the world stage.
The Algerian Football Federation has emphasized the importance of these friendlies as part of a broader strategy to ensure the national team is fully prepared for the demands of the 2026 World Cup. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the team performs and what lessons are learned from these important preparatory matches.
Next up for Algeria will be the official confirmation of the final 26-man squad for the World Cup, expected in June. Fans can stay updated on all the latest news and developments through the official FAF website and social media channels.
What are your thoughts on Algeria’s squad selection? Share your predictions for their World Cup performance in the comments below!
Related reading
