Team Unity First: Petkovic Set to Punish Belaili and Benrahma

Swiss coach punishes duo ahead of World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Somalia and Uganda

Team Unity First: Petkovic Set to Punish Belaili and Benrahma

Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic's set to spring major surprise in the upcoming national team camp with reports suggesting he will temporarily exclude wingers Youcef Belaili & Said Benrahma.

Disciplinary Measure

According to La Gazette du Fennec, echoes from within the Algerian FA confirm that Petkovic's decided to drop the 2 stars as punishment.

The move follows their controversial behavior after Algeria’s last game against Guinea.

🔴90 minutes pour écrire l’Histoire 🇩🇿, pas 90 stories 📱pour amuser la galerie 🤏👎

❗️Article >> https://t.co/pZtLJUV1sIpic.twitter.com/VsHwJSLYGh

— La Gazette du Fennec (@LGDFennec) September 10, 2025

Social Media Row

Belaili & Benrahma exchanged cryptic messages on Instagram, seen as veiled attacks on each other.

The public feud reportedly infuriated Petkovic who believes such actions threaten team unity ahead of key competitions including the 2025 Africa cup of Nations in Morocco.

Liste de Petkovic pour octobre : Ibrahim Maza, les voyants ne sont pas aux Verts mais... #TeamDZ
Lire l'article > https://t.co/IiHtncQAn0pic.twitter.com/1JQjCOObie

— La Gazette du Fennec (@LGDFennec) October 1, 2025

Attempt at Reconciliation

Both players later attempted to calm the situation by posting joint photo stressing their "brotherhood".

However insiders claim this may not be enough to change Petkovic’s stance, unless new developments emerge in the coming hours.

The exclusion, if confirmed, would mark strong statement from Petkovic as Algeria prepare for October’s World cup qualifiers against Somalia & Uganda.

📲🇩🇿 La story de Saïd Benrahma en compagnie de Youcef Belaïli !

✅ Problème réglé entre les deux coéquipiers 🤔🤝 pic.twitter.com/4HTWa51jVp

— El Khadra Foot🎙️🌙 (@ElKhadraFoot) September 11, 2025