Seven debutantes headline Benstiti’s Algeria squad for 2026 Women’s AFCON
Published:
Monday, 06 July 2026
Algeria head coach Farid Benstiti has handed seven players their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations call-up after naming a 26-player squad for the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco
The squad, announced on Sunday, signals Benstiti’s intention to build on Algeria’s best-ever performance at the continental finals while injecting fresh energy into a side aiming for another place in the knockout rounds
The North Africans reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history at the previous edition and arrive in Morocco determined to prove that breakthrough was no one-off
Benstiti has retained the core of the squad that made history but has also refreshed his options by introducing seven new faces across all areas of the pitch
Goalkeeper Amira Benaissa of FC Fleury 91 earns her first major tournament call-up alongside defender Lana Smits Ouraghi of Reims, while forwards Sofia Bekhaled, Lynda Bendris, Inès Khiri, Khouloud Ournani and Ikram Adjabi have also been rewarded for their recent performances at club level
The changes represent the biggest overhaul of Algeria’s squad since the last Women’s AFCON and underline the growing depth of talent available to the Fennecs as they prepare for another demanding continental campaign
Several experienced players, however, have missed out on selection
Lamia Lounas, Hanna Boubezari, Imane Chebel, Ghoutia Karchouni and Emma Smaali have all been omitted, while Lina Khelif and Naïma Bouhani are unavailable after announcing their retirement from international football following the previous tournament
Despite those departures, Benstiti has kept faith with many of the players who helped Algeria achieve their best Women’s AFCON finish
Experienced names including Chloé N’Gazi, Sofia Guellati, Inès Belloumou, Marine Dafeur, Mélinne D’Oria and Lina Boussaha remain central figures in a squad that combines tournament experience with emerging talent
Algeria’s confidence has grown significantly over the past two years
After making history by advancing beyond the group stage for the first time at the last Women’s AFCON, the Fennecs eventually exited in the quarter-finals after losing to Ghana, who went on to finish third in the competition
That campaign marked an important milestone for Algerian women’s football and provided evidence of the team’s growing competitiveness against Africa’s traditional heavyweights
The Fennecs also impressed during qualification for this year’s finals
They began with emphatic victories over South Sudan, winning 5-0 away before completing an 8-0 aggregate triumph with another commanding performance at home
Their biggest statement, however, came in the final qualifying round against Cameroon
Algeria stunned one of Africa’s most successful women’s football nations with a 2-1 victory in Oran before completing the job with a disciplined 1-0 win in Douala to secure a memorable 3-1 aggregate success and book their place in Morocco
A difficult challenge now awaits
Algeria have been drawn alongside hosts Morocco, Senegal and Kenya in one of the tournament’s most competitive groups, where every point could prove decisive in the race for the quarter-finals
With a strengthened squad blending proven performers and exciting newcomers, Benstiti will hope his latest selections can help Algeria continue their upward trajectory and establish themselves among Africa’s leading women’s football nations
Algeria’s 26-player squad
Goalkeepers: Chloé N’Gazi (Marseille), Amira Benaissa (FC Fleury 91), Amina Haleyi (JS Kabylie)
Defenders: Leah Abadou (Orléans), Wassila Alouache (1207 Antalya), Mélinne D’Oria (Le Mans), Sofia Guellati (RC Lens), Inès Belloumou (West Ham United), Morgane Belkhiter (Saint-Étienne), Roseline Khezami (Marseille), Lana Smits Ouraghi (Reims)
Midfielders: Mellisa Bethi (Nantes), Wissem Bouzid (Thonon Évian), Marine Dafeur (Bristol City), Aicha Hamideche (Beşiktaş), Amira Ould Braham (Trabzonspor), Sofia Bekhaled (Servette FC, on loan from Lyon)
Forwards: Lina Boussaha (Al-Ittihad), Lynda Bendris (AS Cannes), Morgane Ikene (Saint-Malo), Inès Khiri (Yverdon Women), Nouhed Naïli (AS Cannes), Khouloud Ournani (CF Akbou), Laura Taleb Muller (Thonon Évian), Ikram Adjabi (Le Havre), Inès Boutaleb (Metz)
