ALGIERS: Algeria handed a recall to midfielder Nabil Bentaleb and included him in their squad for the World Cup as coach Vladimir Petkovic on Sunday unveiled his selection for the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Bentaleb, 31, has not played for the team since last October but has been recalled to a squad that also sees the return of key attackers Houssem Aouar and Amine Gouiri, who missed the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco at the turn of the year because of injury.

Bentaleb played at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Algeria got past the first round, but has had several periods of lengthy absence from the side.

“We know Bentaleb well; he has all the qualities as a person for the group too, Petkovic said. “He has shown he’s in form these last few months.”

Oussama Benbot, who announced his retirement from the national team after being an unused substitute at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco at the turn of the year, returned to help solve a potential goalkeeping crisis.

The 31-year-olds form played a large part in his club USM Alger winning the African Confederation Cup final this month. He has angered Petkovic in the past with complaints about his lack of playing time.

Luca Zidane, son of French World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, was Algerias first-choice goalkeeper at the Cup of Nations but turned in several undistinguished performances, and broke his jaw and chin in April with his Spanish club Granada.

Algeria, who were last at a World Cup 12 years ago, will have a warm-up friendly in Rotterdam against the Netherlands on Wednesday before heading to the US where another pre-tournament match is planned against Bolivia in Kansas City on June 10.

Algeria compete in Group ‘J’ with holders Argentina, Austria, and Jordan.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Oussama Benbot, Melvin Masstil, Luca Zidane; Defenders: Achraf Abada, Rayan Ait Nouri, Zinedine Belaid, Rafik Belghali, Ramy Bensebaini, Samir Chergui, Jaouen Hadjam, Aissa Mandi, Mohamed Amine Tougai; Midfielders: Houssem Aouar, Nabil Bentaleb, Hicham Boudaoui, Fares Chaibi, Ibrahim Maza, Yassine Titraoui, Ramiz Zerrouki; Forwards: Mohamed Amine Amoura, Nadir Benbouali, Adil Boulbina, Fares Ghedjemis, Amine Gouiri, Riyad Mahrez, Anis Hadj Moussa; Standby goalkeeper: Abdellatif Ramdane.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026