In a recent press conference held in Marrakech on January 9, 2025, Algeria's football coach, Vladimir Petkovic, sparked considerable debate among fans and media regarding his delayed announcement of the squad for the 2026 World Cup. This delay has led to mixed reactions, with some expressing disagreement while others show understanding. Petkovic's selection choices have raised eyebrows, particularly with the notable absence of key players such as Baghdad Bounedjah and Ismaël Bennacer. Additionally, the absence of Yusuf Belaïli has left many disappointed, as he has been sidelined due to an injury that has kept him from playing with his Tunisian club, Esperance, for the past five months. Compounding the situation are his recent troubles with FIFA, which resulted in a temporary suspension. Furthermore, the return of goalkeeper Osama Ben Bout, who had previously retired from international football after the recent Africa Cup of Nations, has added to the queries surrounding the squad selection. On the offensive front, the inclusion of Ben Bouali and Ghaimiss, who participated in a single international break last March, also raised questions.
The concerns surrounding a coach's choices are both reasonable and acceptable, as similar discussions occur globally regarding the announcements or delays in player lists. However, it is argued that Petkovic could have alleviated some of the tension by releasing a preliminary extended list, which could have silenced critics who have turned the matter into a topic of significant concern, despite being aware of the unofficial details. Nonetheless, it is crucial to note that the delay should not be viewed as negligence on the coach's part, given that he is not obligated to announce the squad before the deadline set by FIFA. Furthermore, he is not required to justify his selections, as he alone bears the responsibility for them. Some of his decisions might be influenced by technical, physical, and perhaps psychological factors that remain unknown to the public, except for the well-documented situation concerning Yusuf Belaïli, who has been out of competition due to injury.
On Sunday, May 31, Petkovic is scheduled to hold a press conference where he will officially announce the final squad for the 2026 World Cup. Algerians have already caught glimpses of the selected players through training photos, as the coach opted for close observation and medical examinations of each player's health and physical condition before making his final decisions. It is noteworthy that he has maintained communication with three additional players, requesting them to remain prepared to join the national team at the last minute in case of unforeseen circumstances. This approach has been deemed normal by some, reflecting a coach's desire to take all necessary precautions before the official announcement, which is due to be submitted to FIFA by the deadline. Conversely, many journalists have criticized this delay as unjustified, interpreting it as hesitation in the selection process.
Returning to the list of players training at the Sidi Moussa center, goalkeeper Ben Bout has made a surprising comeback after announcing his retirement from international football following the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Additionally, midfielder Nabil Bentaleb from Lille has returned after missing the March training camp and the friendly matches against Guatemala and Uruguay. The list also includes forwards Faris Ghaimiss from Frosinone and Nadir Ben Bouali from Gyori ETO, who both participated in the international window last March, seemingly convincing the coach of their abilities to step in for Bounedjah and compete with Riyad Mahrez and Haji Moussa on the right flank of the attack.
The squad for the 2026 World Cup will notably be missing forward Baghdad Bounedjah from Al-Shamal due to reasons labeled as disciplinary, although some leaks suggest it is purely technical, similar to the cases of Adam Zergane and Hamad Abdelli, while injury has sidelined Youssef Attal. The list also excludes Ismaël Bennacer, who expressed his bewilderment in a personal post, stating, "When you feel good, regain your good form, and hold a dream of participating in the World Cup with your national team for years, it is only natural that accepting this situation is incredibly difficult." Despite this, Bennacer concluded his post by respecting the coach's decision and remaining ready to step in if needed, indicating that the coaching staff had asked him to continue preparing in case of any emergencies.
Regardless of the circumstances, the process of selecting squads for the World Cup remains a complex and challenging task for coaches, even more so than for players. However, it appears to have been a relatively straightforward process for Petkovic, who is eagerly awaited by Algerian fans. Although the official announcement has faced criticism for its delay, it will not exceed the deadline set by FIFA on Sunday, May 31. This should not be regarded as negligence or disrespect but rather as a careful consideration by the coach who aims to ensure the correct selections, with hopes of achieving better results than those attained in the 2014 World Cup.
As reported by alaraby.co.uk.
