Luca Zidane and Rayan Aït-Nouri Dropped as Brahim Hemdani Names a New-Look Algeria Squad for Togo Qualifiers

Algeria's November squad announcement has generated more discussion about the players left out than those selected. The absence of Luca Zidane, Rayan Aït-Nouri and Ilan Kebbal has raised questions about head coach Brahim Hemdani's selection priorities ahead of two important Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifying matches against Togo. At the same time, first senior call-ups for Mohamed Azzi and Abderrahmane Rebbach suggest that Hemdani wants to broaden his available options.

The 26-man squad, announced on 5 November 2026, will prepare for matches on 14 and 17 November. Algeria enter the international window at the top of Group I after collecting four points from their opening two qualifiers. They defeated Zambia 3-1 before drawing 2-2 away to Burundi. The immediate challenge is to strengthen that position against Togo.

However, the selection has created a broader question: is Hemdani prioritising immediate results, or is he beginning a longer-term restructuring of the national team?

Luca Zidane's omission puts selection policy under scrutiny

The most prominent omission is goalkeeper Luca Zidane. The son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane has attracted considerable media attention throughout his international career. His absence from the November squad has therefore become the headline story.

Speaking to French newspaper L'Équipe, head coach Brahim Hemdani explained that playing time was a major consideration in his goalkeeping selections. He wanted three goalkeepers who were regularly involved in competitive matches for their clubs. According to the coach, the three selected players had accumulated the most playing time since the previous international camp.

Algeria have selected Oussama Benbot, Melvin Mastil and Abdelatif Ramdane. Benbot represents USM Alger, Mastil plays for Switzerland's Lausanne-Sport, and Ramdane is associated with MC Alger.

Hemdani's decision establishes a clear selection principle: international places should depend more on competitive involvement than reputation. Regular match practice is particularly important for goalkeepers because their decision-making, communication with defenders and ability to maintain concentration under pressure can directly influence results.

Nevertheless, the policy will ultimately be judged through performances. If the selected goalkeepers demonstrate consistency against Togo, Hemdani's reasoning will gain credibility. A significant mistake, however, could bring Zidane's absence back into the centre of public debate.

It is also important not to interpret this omission as the end of Zidane's international career. The available information does not establish that Hemdani has permanently removed him from future plans. For now, this is a selection decision concerning the November fixtures.

Azzi and Rebbach bring two different development pathways

Mohamed Azzi and Abderrahmane Rebbach are the two players receiving their first senior national-team call-ups. Their backgrounds illustrate two different routes into the Algerian squad.

Azzi is a right-back associated with CSKA Moscow in Russia. Having previously represented Algeria at youth level, he now has an opportunity to progress into the senior international setup. Rebbach, meanwhile, is a winger playing for Deportivo Alavés in Spain. His growing presence in La Liga has helped him earn recognition from the national-team coaching staff.

The selections demonstrate two different approaches. Azzi's promotion reflects continuity between youth and senior international football, while Rebbach's inclusion recognises performances in competitive club football.

The real test for both newcomers will be their ability to fulfil specific roles within the team's structure. Azzi will need to balance defensive responsibilities with opportunities to advance on the right. Rebbach will be expected to contribute in the final third through ball retention, attacking movement and combinations with teammates. However, no confirmed formation or starting lineup has been announced, so their precise tactical responsibilities remain uncertain.

The squad also includes several returning players. Oussama Benbot, Yacine Titraoui and Farès Ghedjemis have been recalled, while Hicham Boudaoui also returns to the group. Titraoui missed the previous international window through injury. These returns give Hemdani additional options while preserving continuity with the established squad.

The selection, therefore, is not simply about introducing new faces. It also involves balancing returning players with experienced internationals who already understand the team's environment.

Aït-Nouri's absence creates a question on the left side

Another important omission is Rayan Aït-Nouri. The Manchester City defender is a significant name in discussions about Algeria's defensive quality, and his absence increases the importance of the alternatives available on the left side.

According to CAF's official report, Aït-Nouri was left out of the starting lineup against Zambia and has not been selected for November. Jaouen Hadjam and experienced defender Ramy Bensebaïni are among the principal alternatives on the left.

The tactical issue extends beyond replacing an individual player. Modern full-backs are expected to provide attacking width while maintaining their defensive responsibilities. When a full-back advances, the space behind him must be covered by a midfielder or centre-back. Consequently, the absence of an established option can affect the balance of the entire defensive flank.

How Hadjam and Bensebaïni share those responsibilities will be worth watching. Bensebaïni's experience could prove valuable in maintaining defensive organisation, while Hadjam may be required to balance forward movement with defensive discipline. The final decision will become clear when Hemdani announces his starting lineup.

Ilan Kebbal is another notable omission. The Paris FC midfielder's absence changes the available options in attacking midfield and wide areas. Samir Chergui is also unavailable. These absences naturally raise questions about the final composition of the team. However, the available information does not establish that every omission resulted from injury, fitness problems or a specific tactical disagreement. It would therefore be premature to attribute all the decisions to a single cause.

An experienced core remains in place

Despite the changes, Hemdani has retained several important players. Ramy Bensebaïni, Nabil Bentaleb, Farès Chaïbi, Ibrahim Maza, Mohamed Amine Amoura, Amine Gouiri and Anis Hadj Moussa remain central names in the squad.

Their presence provides experience and attacking quality. Bentaleb and Chaïbi offer midfield options for progressing possession and controlling the tempo. Maza provides creativity, while Boudaoui and Titraoui can add mobility and energy. Their actual combination will depend on the system Hemdani chooses for the two fixtures.

In attack, Amoura, Gouiri and Hadj Moussa are among the most important options. They are supported by Monsef Bakrar, Bachir Belloumi, Adil Boulbina, Amin Chiakha and Farès Ghedjemis.

The inclusion of Bakrar, associated with Egyptian club Al Ahly, and Boulbina, who plays for Saudi Arabian side Al-Diriyah, also demonstrates the geographical breadth of Algeria's selection pool. The national team is not restricted to players employed by Europe's biggest leagues. Club location cannot be the only criterion for international selection; current performances and the team's requirements also matter.

This is a positive signal for players competing outside Europe. It suggests that the route into the national team can extend across different competitive environments. However, describing it as a formally established new selection policy would be premature. That conclusion would require evidence from several subsequent international squads.

Why the Togo double-header matters

Algeria will face Togo twice during the November international window. The first match takes place on 14 November at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou. The return fixture will be played on 17 November at the Kégué Stadium in Lomé.

The Group I standings explain the importance of these matches. Algeria have four points, while Togo and Zambia have three each. Burundi have one point. Togo began the campaign with a 1-0 victory over Burundi before losing 2-0 against Zambia.

Six points would represent the ideal outcome for Algeria. Such a return would strengthen their position at the top of the group and increase the pressure on their rivals. However, the two matches will present different challenges. Home support in Algeria and the conditions awaiting the team in Lomé could produce very different match environments.

The most important test will be consistency across both fixtures. Performing well in the first match does not guarantee the same level three days later, particularly when a squad includes newcomers and returning internationals. Travel, recovery and player availability could all influence the second performance.

The goalkeeper selection will be particularly interesting. Hemdani has emphasised the importance of regular club playing time. The next question is which goalkeeper will start and whether the coach will retain the same player for both matches. His decisions will reveal whether the playing-time principle applies only to squad selection or also influences match-by-match management.

Results must come before judgments about the squad

Two contrasting interpretations of Algeria's selection are possible. One views the changes as necessary competition and an opportunity to introduce emerging talent. The other considers the omission of established players an unnecessary risk at a moment when the team needs to consolidate its qualifying position. Both arguments have some merit.

However, no new tactical system has been officially confirmed, and the changes have not yet been tested against Togo. It would therefore be premature to describe this squad as either a successful rebuilding project or a failed experiment.

The most interesting aspect of Hemdani's decision is the difference between his public explanation for the goalkeeping choices and the limited information available about other major omissions. That gap is likely to remain part of the discussion throughout the international window.

If Algeria perform well, the decision to introduce new players and prioritise regularly active goalkeepers will appear increasingly convincing. If results disappoint, questions about the absence of Aït-Nouri and Zidane will become more difficult to avoid.

Replacing names is only the beginning of a squad transition. New players must understand the responsibilities of those they replace, while the team must develop a shared rhythm on the pitch. This is the process through which a selection decision eventually becomes a recognisable tactical identity.

The 14 November match will provide the first opportunity to evaluate that process. The return fixture in Lomé on 17 November will then reveal how consistently the team can perform under different conditions.

Hemdani's decisions should ultimately be judged by the points Algeria collect across the two matches, the stability of their defensive organisation and the actual contributions of newcomers such as Azzi and Rebbach.

Will this selection become the beginning of a successful new phase for Algeria, or will the absence of established players expose weaknesses during the Togo double-header? The answer will come from the pitch, not the squad announcement.

Sources and fact-checking: CAF official report, 6 November 2026; Goal.com report, 5 November 2026; Competition.dz report, 5 November 2026. CAF's official 26-man squad announcement has been prioritised for player selections and club affiliations.