Algeria: Petkovic reshapes the hierarchy

As the next training camp for the Algeria national football team approaches, Vladimir Petkovic has decided to reopen a sensitive file: the pecking order among the goalkeepers. The upcoming camp in Italy, featuring two friendly matches against the Guatemala national football team and the Uruguay national football team, will serve as a testing ground just months before the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Read also: A headache stirs up the Algeria team

Renewed competition between the posts

While Luca Zidane seemed to have pulled ahead after the last AFCON, the number one spot is far from locked in. The head coach wants to create an open competition to assess all available options and secure as many guarantees as possible at this crucial position.

In this context, several candidates are emerging in the coaching staff’s deliberations, notably Abdellah El Aïdani and Melvin Fayçal Mastil, two keepers playing in Europe. Behind them, names like Anthony Mandrea, Alexandre Oukidja, and Alexis Guendouz remain in contention. With the World Cup looming, Petkovic is now searching for the perfect balance between healthy competition and squad stability.

Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.

Related teams and leagues

Algeria