The Algeria women’s national team have named a strong squad that will face Harambee Starlets in two friendly matches in Bilda, Algeria on Wednesday November 26 and Sunday November 30.
The friendly matches will serve as preparation for the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco which both nations have qualified.
The coach Farid Benstiti side will have majority of its players from the top European leagues.
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Key figures called up by Head Coach Farid Benstiti include defender Inès Belloumou, who plays for West Ham United in England’s Women’s Super League, and midfielder Marine Dafeur of Bristol City.
The also features star player Ghoutia Karchouni of Servette FC Chênois in Switzerland, and veteran captain Sofia Guellati from RC Lens in France.
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A total of 15 players in the 26-player squad play for clubs based in France, making it the most represented league while only two local based players were selected; goalkeeper Lamia Lounas from ASE Alger Centre and reserve goalkeeper Amina Haleyi of JS Kabylie.
The two matches are expected to measure their level of preparedness ahead of the 2026 WAFCON which they secured their place at the after a 3-1 aggregate win over giants Cameroon in what was a statement win under Head Coach Farid Benstiti, confirming their place in the tournament for the 7th time in their history.
Algeria name Star-studded squad to face Harambee Starlets
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Chloé N’Gazi (Les Marseillaises), Lamia Lounas (ASE Alger Centre), Amina Haleyi (JS Kabylie)
Defenders: Morgane Belkhiter (AS Saint-Étienne), Inès Belloumou (West Ham United), Sofia Guellati (RC Lens) – Captain, Léa Abadou (FC Sion), Lisa Jacob (FC Metz), Roselène Khezami (Les Marseillaises), Ouassila Alouache (1207 Antalya Spor)
Midfielders: Mélissa Bethi (FC Nantes), Lina Boussaha (Al-Ittihad), Mélinne D’Oria (Le Mans FC), Marine, Dafeur (Bristol City FC), Aïcha Hamidèche (Beşiktaş JK), Ghoutia Karchouni (Servette FC Chênois), Amira Ould Braham (Trabzonspor), Emma Smaali (RC Lens)
Forwards: Shana Battouri (Stade de Reims), Lynda Bendris (AS Cannes), Inès Boutaleb (AJ Auxerre), Wissem Bouzid (Thonon Evian GG FC), Morgane Ikene (US Saint-Malo), Ikram Adjabi (Le Havre AC), Nouhed Naili (AS Cannes), Laura Taleb Muller (FC Sion).
