Algeria's national football team commenced their training at the Centre technique national (CTN) in Sidi Moussa on September 22, 2026, in preparation for the first two matches of the CAN-2027 qualifiers. Under the guidance of new coach Brahim Hemdani, the team began their journey towards the prestigious tournament. Hemdani, accompanied by Antar Yahia as assistant coach, Nacerddine Berarma as goalkeeper coach, and Nacer Daineche as physical preparer, is tasked with leading the team to success.
The team, comprising 26 players, gradually assembled at the training camp, with the exception of Nabil Bentaleb, who was forced to withdraw due to an injury sustained during a match with Lille OSC against OGC Nice. To fill the gap, Adil Bourabaâ, a 21-year-old midfielder from Mans FC in France's Ligue 1, was called up to join the squad. This marks a new chapter for the team, following the departure of Vladimir Petkovic and the Algeria Football Federation (FAF) parting ways.
Hemdani's first list of players featured several changes compared to the team that participated in the 2026 World Cup. Notably, Houssem Aouar and Ramiz Zerrouki were not included in the squad for this training camp. The team also witnessed the international retirements of experienced players Riyad Mahrez and Aïssa Mandi, paving the way for a revamped squad. The new coach has emphasized his vision with these changes, signaling a fresh start for the team.
The team's first challenge in the CAN-2027 qualifiers is against Zambia at the Hocine Aït-Ahmed stadium in Tizi-Ouzou on September 27, 2026. This will be followed by an away match against Burundi on September 29. In addition to these qualifiers, the team is set to play a friendly match against Niger on October 6 at Tizi-Ouzou, providing further opportunities for Hemdani and his staff to assess the team's performance.
The training camp and upcoming matches are crucial for Algeria as they seek to make a strong impression under their new coach. With a mix of experienced and young players, the team aims to navigate the challenges of the CAN-2027 qualifiers successfully. The coaching staff will be closely monitoring the players' performances to finalize the best lineup for the upcoming matches.
A press conference is scheduled for September 23 at 17:45, followed by a training session at the CTN in Sidi Moussa. This will provide an opportunity for the media to interact with the players and coaching staff, gaining insights into the team's strategy and expectations for the qualifiers.
As Algeria prepares to face Zambia and Burundi in the CAN-2027 qualifiers, the team's performance will be closely watched by fans and critics alike. With a renewed squad and coaching staff, the team is poised to make a strong statement in the tournament. The outcome of their matches will significantly impact their chances of advancing to the next stage of the competition.
Key points
- Algeria's national football team starts training for CAN-2027 qualifiers under new coach Brahim Hemdani.
