Brahim Hemdani appears ready to reconsider the international futures of Baghdad Bounedjah, Youcef Belaili and Yacine Brahimi after including all three in Algeria’s expanded selection for the upcoming matches against Zambia and Burundi in the CAN 2027 qualifiers.
However, their appearance on the preliminary list does not guarantee a place in the final squad. According to journalist Imad Mostefai, two of the three players are unlikely to be included when the definitive selection is announced before 20 September.
Bounedjah’s reported inclusion is already viewed as a significant development. The 34-year-old, who scored the winning goal in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final, was among the main casualties of the final months of Vladimir Petkovic’s time in charge.
He was a substitute during CAN 2025 and is understood to have struggled with his reduced role. His visible frustration reportedly displeased Petkovic, who subsequently left him out of the squad for the World Cup 2026.
Petkovic was concerned that Bounedjah’s difficulty adapting to his new status could affect the balance of the group. Hemdani, by contrast, appears willing to assess the striker afresh.
Bounedjah still offers Algeria a distinctive set of qualities, including physical strength, his ability to play with his back to goal and his effectiveness as a focal point in attack. Those attributes have not always been available to the national team in recent times. His inclusion in the final squad remains uncertain, however.
Brahimi and Belaili also considered
Brahimi would represent an even more notable return. The 36-year-old remains captain and a regular starter for Al-Gharafa in Qatar, but he has not played for Algeria’s senior side since June 2024, when he featured against Guinea. That record excludes his involvement in the Arab Cup, while his appearances for the national team have been occasional since 2020.
His recall would also create an unusual generational link. Brahimi made his Algeria debut in 2013, only a few months after Anthar Yahia won his final cap. Yahia is now serving as one of Hemdani’s assistants.
Belaili, 34, is also said to have been included in the expanded list. The Esperance de Tunis winger scored last weekend but missed CAN 2025 and the World Cup 2026 through injury. His ability is well established, although his temperament and age make his situation more complex.
El Hayat reported that Bounedjah, Belaili and Brahimi were all under consideration, but Mostefai says Belaili and Brahimi will not take part in the September training camp.
Bounedjah therefore appears to have the clearest route back into the squad. Amine Chiakha and Mohamed Bachir Belloumi are also reportedly part of the preliminary selection.
Hemdani and Yahia do not appear ready to rule out experienced players because of their age or their standing under Petkovic. The final decision will be known before 20 September, when the first definitive squad of the new era is announced.