Head coach Brahim Hemdani has sent out preliminary call-ups for Togo, with four new names, including Telstar defender Abdelmour Salahia. Ismaël Bennacer, absent from the Fennecs since January, is in the expanded squad.
Algeria are preparing for their double-header against Togo, on 14 and 17 November 2026, for matchdays 3 and 4 of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. A little over two weeks before the first match, head coach Brahim Hemdani has sent out an expanded squad, according to Al-Ain. Four players appear in it for the first time, while Ismaël Bennacer, absent since January, is part of the group.
This preliminary squad, which includes six goalkeepers, is not yet final: the final squad will be announced in the coming days. Several uncertainties remain, particularly on the left flank, where Rayan Aït-Nouri could be left out, according to Footafrica.
Four new faces in the group
Among the surprise call-ups are Chabab Belouizdad defender Rayan Akacem, ES Rouisset goalkeeper Jalal Eddine Rahal, Telstar centre-back Abdelmour Salahia and Monza defender Fahed Benaïssa-Yahia, according to Al-Ain. The latter, 24, is undroppable at Mantova, with 11 appearances and as many starts, for 1 goal and 1 assist. There is some disagreement over his club, however: some sources say Mantova, others Monza.
Goalkeeper Rayan Yesli (27, Olympique Akbou) is also being monitored. He has kept four clean sheets in the first seven matchdays, and assistant coach Antar Yahia went to watch him from the stands at MCO – Olympique Akbou, reports Ultra Algeria. The expanded squad includes six goalkeepers (Mastil, Ramadane, Belazoug, Luca Zidane, Rahal, Yesli). Mastil (Lausanne) and Ramadane (MC Alger) appear to have two of the three places, with the third contested between Zidane, Yesli and Rahal.
Bennacer and the midfielders
Ismaël Bennacer, 28, is in the expanded squad. The Al-Gharafa midfielder has played five matches for his club (four in the Qatar Stars League and one against Al-Hilal in the AFC Champions League). He has not worn the Fennecs shirt since January, in the AFCON 2025 round of 16 against DR Congo, according to Al-Ain.
Hicham Boudaoui, the Nice midfielder, should also make his return after missing the matches against Zambia, Burundi and Niger through injury. Oussama Benbot (32, USM Alger) was left out in September and October for technical reasons.
Aït-Nouri heading for the exit
The left flank is sparking debate. Rayan Aït-Nouri is expected to be left out of the next squad after a confrontation with the staff, according to Footafrica citing Afrik-Foot. He did not come on against Zambia on 25 September (3-1) and refuses to apologise, which makes his exclusion “highly likely”. The decision is not yet official, however.
Jaouen Hadjam, a starter at the last camp, has played only 11 league minutes for Brighton since the end of the international break, Footafrica notes. The first match against Togo will take place on 14 November in Tizi Ouzou, the second on 17 November in Lomé. Before these fixtures, Algeria lead their group with 4 points, one ahead of Zambia, after a 3-1 win over Zambia and a 2-2 draw with Burundi.