Guitoun et Abdelli libérés par le sélectionneur
Summary of Algeria’s National Team Preparations
On Tuesday evening, national coach Vladimir Petkovic announced that Himad Abdelli and Kévin Guitoun have been released from training camp for the Algerian national team, which is currently preparing for two upcoming friendly matches. These matches are scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 5, against Rwanda at Chahid Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine and on Tuesday, June 10, against Sweden at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm.
According to a statement from the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), the decision to release Abdelli and Guitoun followed physical tests and a consideration of the critical end-of-season period. Petkovic concluded that allowing them to return home for recovery would be more beneficial.
The training camp initially included 29 players, featuring several notable returns of players who had missed previous gatherings. This includes Nabil Bentaleb from LOSC Lille in France, Ramiz Zerrouki and Hadj Moussa from Feyenoord in the Netherlands, Baghdad Bounedjah from Al-Shamal SC in Qatar, Houssem Aouar from Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, Kévin Guitoun from FC Metz in France, and Mohamed-Amine Tougaï from ES Tunis.
However, the team will be without the services of Ahmed Kendouci from Ceramica Cleopatra in Egypt, who is recovering from a severe knee injury sustained in April.
These friendlies are part of the team’s preparations to resume their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, set to kick off again in September. As of now, Algeria sits at the top of their qualifying group, having accumulated 15 points through six matches, three points ahead of Mozambique, their closest competitor. The qualification format states that only the group leader automatically qualifies for the World Cup, while the four best runners-up will enter a series of continental and intercontinental playoffs for a chance to qualify.
In conclusion, Algeria’s national football team is gearing up for crucial friendlies with an eye on the World Cup qualifiers later in the year, as Petkovic adjusts his squad to ensure optimal player conditions moving forward.
