Algeria and Sudan have had to wait patiently over the last few days, but will finally get their AFCON campaigns underway on Wednesday. The Greens will be led by Manchester City cult hero Riyah Mahrez, with the 34-year-old still plying his trade in Saudi Arabia at present. Other notable names include Ramy Bensebaini of Borussia Dortmund and Rayan Ait-Nouri of Manchester City.
France great Zinedine Zidane's son Luca Zidane was called up by Algeria for the first time on Thursday, with the team close to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Luca Zidane, a 27-year-old goalkeeper, represented France at youth level but never for the senior national team and is eligible for Algeria through his father's family ties. FIFA approved a change of national eligibility two weeks ago for Zidane, who once played at Real Madrid when his father was coach there.