The Algerian national team's coaching staff announced the final squad called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to be held in neighboring Morocco from December 21st to January 18th. The squad included some major surprises, most notably the inclusion of key players from the Saudi Professional League, as well as the addition of new faces to represent the "Desert Warriors.".
The impact of the Saudi Roshan League on the lineup
National team captain and Al-Ahli Saudi FC star Riyad Mahrez emerged as the most prominent name on whom Algerians are relying to lead the team to continental glory. Mahrez wasn't the only representative of the Saudi Professional League; the squad also included Houssem Aouar of Al-Ittihad FC, reflecting the rising technical level of the Saudi league and its direct influence on the selections of coaches for major national teams across the African continent.
Luca Zidane... a global name in the green jersey
In a historic move that has captured the attention of the global sports community, the squad includes goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of football legend Zinedine Zidane. The 27-year-old, currently playing for Granada in Spain, switched his sporting nationality last September to represent his ancestral homeland after a career with France's youth teams. Zidane stated, "I am very happy to be here. It is a great honor for me, and I will give 100 percent to make the Algerian people proud.".
The context of the championship and Algerian aspirations
This edition of the tournament holds special significance for the Algerian national team for several reasons, primarily its being held in Morocco, which adds a unique and passionate dimension to North African derbies. The "Greens," who have won the title twice (1990 and 2019), are aiming to erase the memory of recent performances and reclaim their continental prestige. This participation presents an ideal opportunity for the current generation, a blend of experience and youth, to prove their worth and compete strongly for a third star.
List details and match schedule
The squad list includes 28 players, among them prominent names from major European leagues such as Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City) and Mohamed Amoura (Wolfsburg). The Algerian national team will begin its group stage campaign against Sudan on the 24th of this month, followed by a tough match against Burkina Faso on the 28th, before concluding the group stage against Equatorial Guinea on the 31st.
The complete list of the Algerian national team:
- Goalkeepers: Luca Zidane (Granada), Oussama Benbot (USM Alger), Anthony Mandrea (Caen).
- Defense: Rafik Belghali (Verona), Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City), Youcef Atal and Mehdi Dorval (Bari), Jawin Hadjam (Young Boys), Zinedine Bellaïd (JS Kabylie), Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund), Samir Cherki (Paris FC), Aïssa Mandi (Lille), Mohamed Amine Tougaï (Espérance).
- Midfielders: Ismaël Bennacer (Dinamo Zagreb), Ramez Zerrouki (Twente), Adam Zorgane (Union Saint-Gilloise), Hicham Boudaoui (Nice), Houssem Aouar (Al-Ittihad Saudi), Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen), Fares Chaibi (Eintracht Frankfurt).
- Forwards: Mohamed Amine Ammoura (Wolfsburg), Ilan Kebbal (Paris FC), Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli Saudi), Anis Hadj Moussa (Feyenoord), Adel Boulbina, Moncef Bekrar (Dinamo Zagreb), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al-Shamal), Redouane Berkane (Al-Wakrah).
