CAN 2027 Qualifiers: Algeria loses Bentaleb, Bourabaa called up as reinforcement

Algeria will begin its CAN 2027 qualifiers without Nabil Bentaleb. Injured on Sunday while playing for Lille against Nice, the midfielder will miss the Fennecs’ gathering and has been replaced by Adil Bourabaa, who has been called up to the senior national team for the first time.

The Algerian Football Federation announced on Monday, September 21, Bentaleb’s absence following the injury sustained in Ligue 1. The 31-year-old left the pitch in the 77th minute during LOSC’s defeat to Nice. The exact nature of the injury and the duration of his unavailability have not been specified.

Brahim Hemdani has summoned Adil Bourabaa, a midfielder from Mans FC, as reinforcement. Initially selected for the Algerian U23 team, the 21-year-old now joins the senior squad for the first time. He has made a notable start to the season in the French league, scoring three goals in five matches.

Bentaleb was included in Brahim Hemdani’s initial squad, which has already seen several changes compared to the group that participated in the 2026 World Cup. The new head coach began his first training camp on Monday in Sidi Moussa with the available players.

Algeria will host Zambia on September 25 in Tizi-Ouzou for the opening match of the qualifiers, before traveling to Burundi on September 29. A friendly match against Niger is also scheduled for October 6.