Brahim Hemdani begins a new chapter with Algeria. For his first selection since his appointment as head coach of the Fennecs, he has called up 26 players for the upcoming matches in the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. While several key figures remain, some new faces are particularly noteworthy. Here’s what to know about these profiles that could earn a place in the Algerian team.
One player to watch on this list is Sohaib Naïr. The central defender from AS Saint-Étienne has previously been called up to the Fennecs but has yet to make his debut. Trained in France, he plays as a central defender and is among the options Hemdani can rely on to strengthen competition in this area.
Kilian Belazzoug, a 20-year-old goalkeeper from Stade Rennais, is also familiar with the Algerian squad. He was called up earlier this year and continues to develop at the international level. Achraf Abada, a defender from USM Alger, made his debut with the national team in 2026 and participated in friendly matches against Guatemala and Uruguay.
Other players are not newcomers in the strict sense, but their presence indicates their return to the squad. This is particularly true for Ilan Kebbal, who missed selection for the 2026 World Cup. The attacking midfielder from Paris FC had a promising 2025-2026 season in Ligue 1, scoring nine goals and providing four assists.
Adil Aouchiche, Himad Abdelli, Adem Zorgane, and Saâdi Radouani also return to the Fennecs. The coach has also recalled Bachir Belloumi, who brings experience from his time in England with Hull City. These various profiles give Hemdani several additional alternatives ahead of the clashes against Zambia and Burundi.
