Algeria: Benkara has not declined the invitation to the national team!

Sep 26, 2026

Today, an unfounded rumor circulated on social media, claiming that defender Elias Benkara had declined an invitation from Brahim Hemdani. This is not the case.

The 19-year-old player, on loan this summer from Borussia Dortmund to Fürth in Bundesliga 2, received a preliminary call-up, being part of the expanded list for the Greens, but he was ultimately not selected among the 26 for the September camp.

His club, which announced his preliminary call-up, shared on Instagram four days ago the players who are finally going with their national team and those who are not included, noting for Benkara and Burkinabé Bancé, “Verzicht”, which can be interpreted as “declined.”

This was misunderstood by some as a refusal to join their national team from these players, particularly the Algerian defender, which is completely incorrect.

In reality, Elias Benkara has even been in Algeria in recent days to spend time with family. He visited Algiers, Constantine, and Annaba and even trained at Chabou Stadium before returning to Germany.

For the record, Benkara was called up in November 2025 with the Greens and was on the bench during the match against Zimbabwe.

DZfoot