Algeria’s new era has begun with a selection that leaves several familiar names outside the frame. Brahim Hemdani has made immediate changes for his first squad as Fennecs coach, with Luca Zidane and Houssem Aouar among the most notable omissions.
Hemdani, appointed after Vladimir Petkovic, has named his group for Algeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures. The team face Zambia on 25 September at 21:00 before meeting Burundi on 29 September at 15:00.
Quick facts
- Brahim Hemdani has announced his first Algeria squad.
- Algeria play Zambia on 25 September and Burundi on 29 September in AFCON 2027 qualifying.
- Luca Zidane and Rafik Belghali are unavailable through suspension.
- Hicham Boudaoui, Yacine Titraoui, Houssem Aouar, Ramiz Zerrouki and Nadhir Benbouali have not been selected.
- Mohamed Belloumi and Amine Chiakha have been called up.
Zidane had been Algeria’s goalkeeper at the World Cup, but his displays drew heavy criticism. He is also suspended after the incidents that followed Algeria’s match against Nigeria at the last edition of the tournament.
Belghali is serving the same suspension and is absent from Hemdani’s first group. Titraoui is injured, while Boudaoui, Aouar, Zerrouki and Benbouali have all been left out by the new manager.
Algeria must also move forward without Aïssa Mandi and Riyad Mahrez. Both players announced their international retirements after the World Cup.
There is room for new momentum in the squad. Belloumi earns his place after an impressive spell with Hull City, while Chiakha has also received a call from Hemdani for the September double-header.
The qualifiers are part of the road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled from 19 June to 17 July across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
