Algeria’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended in disappointment, with the Desert Foxes crashing out in the round of 32 after a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland, having navigated a tough group featuring Argentina, Austria and Jordan.
Despite the tough group, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) moved quickly, parting ways with Vladimir Petkovic just weeks after the Bosnian had signed a contract extension through 2028.
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Petkovic, who had taken Algeria to their first World Cup since 2022, leaves after 29 months in charge, with the FAF confirming the split was by “mutual agreement”.
The federation isn’t wasting time on the search for his successor either.
According to French journalist Romain Molina, Rafael Benitez is now the FAF’s top target to take Algeria forward, with the Spaniard described as the federation’s “priority and dream option” as they eye an experienced European coach to rebuild the squad before the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Molina also names Jose Peseiro, currently at Al Ula in Saudi Arabia, as a more realistic fallback option.
Some inside the FAF are even fantasizing about landing Roberto Martinez, who has been out of work since leaving Portugal after the World Cup.
Benitez has been out of work since his seven-month spell at Panathinaikos ended in May, making it his fourth managerial exit in five years.
Since then, the 66-year-old has made clear he’s ready for a fresh challenge on the international stage, telling talkSPORT in July that his response to interest from Scotland “wasn’t a no” and that he is “open to international football and to managing a national team, because it’s a different kind of job”.
That openness to international management, combined with his link to the vacant Scotland job after Steve Clarke’s resignation, suggests Benitez is genuinely weighing his next move carefully rather than rushing back into club football.
For Algeria, landing a coach with Champions League and La Liga-winning pedigree would represent a major coup, though the FAF will need to determine whether his links to Scotland or a Premier League return complicate any approach
Rafael Benitez est la piste prioritaire/rêvée de la Fédération algérienne de fotoball 🇩🇿
En deuxième solution, José Peseiro est apprécié et certains fantasment même de Roberto Martinez…
— Romain Molina (@Romain_Molina) August 3, 2026