ALGERIA

Very few footballers can match what Mahrez has achieved in the game. Among his accolades, the Algeria captain boasts five Premier League titles, a Champions League winner’s medal, two FA Cups, three League Cups, PFA and CAF player of the year awards, and many other individual and club honours. The only blemish on his career for Algeria fans is that lack of a stellar display at a World Cup. In 2014 his only appearance came in a 2-1 defeat to Belgium where he registered 37 touches, was dispossessed three times and was substituted in the 71st minute. He did not feature again as Algeria surged to the Last 16. Now aged 35 and nearing the twilight of his career, he is determined to lead Algeria into the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the very first time. Such an achievement would elevate his status in African footballing lore. Still, some fans argue that he no longer has the legs to justify a starting place for Algeria, and that it may already be time to hand the mantle to rising talents such as Feyenoord’s Anis Hadj Moussa.

You have to be brave to lunge in on Rayan Aït-Nouri when he has the ball at his feet. It’s no exaggeration to describe the France-born full-back as one of the best dribbling defenders in world football, a defender who looks effortlessly comfortable carrying the ball into the final third and turning defensive sequences into attacking ones. He made the decision to represent Algeria in 2023, saying: “Algeria is my roots … When I’m in Algeria, I’m always happy; my mood changes as soon as I arrive there. The people are smiling, they’re friendly, everyone has their hands on their heart; it’s magnificent.” With the national side his form has not always been as strong as it has at club level, with mixed displays at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations, but his pre-World Cup form at City – whom he joined from Wolves for £31m last year – was encouragingly strong. He should be a huge asset this summer.

Aged just 20, Maza is clearly going places. A fine attacking talent, he excels at drifting into pockets of space, receiving the ball on the half-turn. His low centre of gravity and powerful lower body allow him to ride challenges and show off the technical quality that sets him apart, with incisive passes and fearless dribbles. Since arriving at Bayer Leverkusen he has drawn plenty of comparisons to Florian Wirtz. Not that he is pleased about it. “I don’t like being compared like that,” Maza told the club’s website. “He became the most expensive signing in the Premier League, and I hope I can be at his level someday, but I’m not there yet.” Born in Berlin, he played for Germany up to Under-20 level before declaring for Algeria last year. It was a calculated decision. “It’s purely for sporting reasons, because it aligns better with my footballing future,” he said. “In the German national team, the competition for my position is extremely fierce, so it's tough to break into the starting eleven or find space in that squad. From a sporting perspective, representing Algeria gives me a greater chance to play in the World Cup and compete at the highest level. That's why I made this decision with full confidence."