Adil Aouchiche gets green light and makes Algeria debut | OneFootball

Former France youth standout Adil Aouchiche made his Algeria debut in the 7-0 win over Guatemala in Genoa on Friday, with Uruguay to come on Tuesday. At 23, the Schalke 04 midfielder is seeking to confirm his revival at the highest level.

L'Équipe reports that he switched sporting nationality in 2024 after initial talks with the Algerian Football Federation, and he is among the players Vladimir Petkovic wants to assess in the months before World Cup 2026.

He came on in the 69th minute for Ramy Bensebaïni and helped start Nadir Benbouali’s seventh of the night.

Highly rated in France’s 2002 crop, he excelled for the under-17s, top scorer at the Euros with nine goals and top provider at the World Cup with seven assists. In 2019 he became PSG’s youngest Ligue 1 starter at 17 years and 46 days, playing three times under Thomas Tuchel.

He signed his first professional deal with Saint-Étienne, endured two seasons that ended in relegation, then moved to Lorient. After six months he joined Sunderland on a five-year contract, fading after Regis Le Bris arrived, and later went on loan to Portsmouth and Aberdeen.

In January Sunderland ended his Aberdeen loan and agreed a move to Schalke 04. Used as a hybrid number eight, he has played seven games and provided three assists.

He hopes to make the 2026 squad, competing with Houssem Aouar, Ibrahim Maza, Hicham Boudaoui, Himad Abdelli and Farès Chaïbi. His versatility could help, in a two, a three or wide.

Source: L'Équipe