Verts: Guitoun, the World Cup hard to swallow and a discovery about Titraoui

Kévin Guitoun continues to attract attention in Belgium, where his performances with Charleroi earned him the title of Player of the Month for August. However, beyond this individual recognition, the right-back still feels bitterness over his absence from the 2026 World Cup with Algeria. In an interview with DH Les Sports, the Algerian international also discussed the behind-the-scenes arrival of Yacine Titraoui at Lens, revealing that he played a role in this move.

Honored for his excellent start to the season, Guitoun is relishing this new trophy. “It’s a source of pride,” he admits, having already been selected in the Ligue 2 Team of the Season at the UNFP Awards 2023, before being named Player of the Month for FC Metz in November and December of the same year. With humor, he adds: “I’ll have to make space at home for all these trophies.”

However, this period of success does not overshadow his greatest disappointment with the national team. For Guitoun, not being selected for the 2026 World Cup represents “the biggest regret” of his career. He believed he had a chance with Algeria, but it was mainly the manner in which he learned about his non-selection that affected him deeply.

“I can only confirm. I thought I would be part of Algeria's list, but beyond that, I was disappointed by how it happened. There was no official list. No one was notified. It was completely incomprehensible,” he explains.

Guitoun then recounts discovering his absence by checking social media: “I realized I wasn’t going to the World Cup by watching social media, where there were videos of the selected players, who had been notified by message, arriving at the airport. After that, I didn’t even receive a call. I had been waiting for two weeks. I didn’t even dare to book my vacation. In the end, it’s a dream that has vanished. I think I deserved a bit of honesty, even if I hadn’t been chosen.”

Despite this immense disappointment, the defender is not closing the door on a return to the Greens. The arrival of Brahim Hemdani as the new head coach gives him renewed hope: “The arrival of Brahim Hemdani reshuffles the cards. A list will be published this month. I’m ready.”

The Algerian also reflected on Yacine Titraoui and his transfer to Lens. Very close to the midfielder, Guitoun reveals that he facilitated his integration into the club.

“When Yacine came to see me, I told him to let me handle it. In 10 minutes, it was sorted,” he recounts. He adds: “My current agent has very good relations with Jean-Louis Leca and Yannick Cahuzac. I knew it could work with Yacine. When he came to ask for advice about his future, I told him to let me handle it. In 10 minutes, it was sorted. I’m really happy for him because he’s like a little brother to me.”

A supporter of RC Lens since childhood, Guitoun has a special connection with the club. As he continues to shine with Charleroi, the defender now hopes to turn the page on his disappointment with Algeria and convince the new coaching staff to give him another chance with the Greens.

A double page on Guitoun this weekend in "La Dernière Heure" in Belgium.
Logical, elected Player of the Month in the Jupiler League.
Not bringing him back to the national team this month would be an injustice. pic.twitter.com/yzV8x4D7fk

— Beneddra Naïm (@BeneddraNaim) September 14, 2026

DZfoot