Vladimir Petkovic springs a major surprise with his squad selection

Seeking renewal, Vladimir Petkovic wants to inject fresh blood

Vladimir Petkovic springs a major surprise with his squad selection

The news broke this Monday: according to journalist Nabil Djellit, Samir Chergui is included in Algeria's preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Somalia and Uganda. The Paris FC defender, aged 26, is off to a decent start this season with five Ligue 1 appearances and now finds his name circulating among Vladimir Petkovic's potential reinforcements. This call-up is far from trivial, as the centre-back position remains a sector still searching for stability for the Fennecs.

🚨🚨 Samir Chergui (26 ans), titulaire à cinq reprises en L1 avec le Paris FC, est pré-convoqué avec l'Algérie. Agressif en un contre un, polyvalent et assez rapide, il peut apporter une solution supplémentaire dans un secteur en question dans l'optique de la CAN.

— Nabil Djellit (@Nabil_djellit) September 23, 2025

Trained at AJ Auxerre before moving to Paris FC in 2020, Chergui has steadily matured. Long confined to a secondary role, he established himself as a reliable performer in Ligue 2 before making his top-flight debut this season with the Parisian club. His stature, aerial prowess, and especially his composure under pressure make him an intriguing option for Algeria. At 26, he’s reaching the prime age for a centre-back, which explains why the Algerian FA has decided to test him at this pivotal stage of the qualification campaign.

Nothing is official yet, but an October call-up would represent a unique opportunity for Chergui. With Algeria needing just one more win to secure their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, every detail matters. The Paris FC man could use this window to convince the coaching staff that he deserves a place in the squad. Should he integrate successfully, he could quickly become more than just a backup: a credible option in Petkovic’s defensive rotation.