Algerian football federation appoints Brahim Hemdani as national team coach

Appointment of the new head coach

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) named Brahim Hemdani as the new head coach of the men's national team on Saturday, 5 September 2026. The appointment was reported by Algerian state television, confirming that the 48-year-old former defensive midfielder will replace Vladimir Petkovic on the bench. Hemdani steps into the role following recent success in the country's youth division. The federation also confirmed changes across the broader management staff to support the incoming manager. Former national team captain Antar Yahia was appointed as assistant coach, while fellow former international captain Moussa Saïb was designated as the national team general manager.

Playing background and managerial record

Born in Colombes near Paris, Hemdani developed as a player through the youth academy at AS Cannes before playing senior football with Strasbourg. He later moved to Olympique de Marseille, where he played between 2001 and 2005 and served as team captain. He concluded his active playing career in Scotland with Glasgow Rangers, where he competed from 2005 to 2010. During his playing career, Hemdani also earned two international caps for the Algerian senior national team. In club management, Hemdani previously coached French side FC Marignane-Gignac between 2022 and 2025, leading the team to promotion into the French third division. In international youth football, he guided the Algerian under-21 team to a gold medal at the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, the previous week. The tournament victory in Italy represented Algeria's first title at the Mediterranean Games in 51 years.

Departure of Vladimir Petkovic

The leadership change follows the decision by the Algerian Football Federation in early August 2026 to terminate the contract of Vladimir Petkovic. The departure took place despite a contract extension that was originally agreed to keep the Swiss coach in charge of the national team until 2028. Petkovic, who previously managed the Swiss national team from 2014 to 2021, led Algeria to qualification for the World Cup in North America during the summer of 2026. However, Algeria exited the tournament in the round of 32 after a 2-0 loss against Switzerland. That World Cup elimination came after another tournament defeat earlier in the year at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where Algeria was eliminated in the quarter-finals following a 2-0 defeat to Nigeria.

Preparations for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

Hemdani will officially begin his managerial duties in the coming days as he prepares the squad list for the upcoming September training camp. The team faces an immediate schedule of competitive fixtures in the qualification phase for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Algeria is scheduled to host Zambia on 25 September 2026 at the stadium in Tizi Ouzou. Four days later, on 29 September 2026, the squad will play its second qualifying fixture against Burundi. Hemdani, Yahia, and Saïb will oversee the national squad during this camp as the team begins its qualifying campaign following the earlier tournament defeats in 2026.