Boudebouz back in initial Algerian 2014 FIFA World Cup squad

Bastia midfielder Ryad Boudebouz, who has not featured for Algeria since the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, was Monday named in coach Vahid Halilhodzic's 30-strong provisional squad for the World Cup

Algiers: Bastia midfielder Ryad Boudebouz, who has not featured for Algeria since the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, was Monday named in coach Vahid Halilhodzic's 30-strong provisional squad for the World Cup.

Leicester frontman Ryad Mahrez is called up for the first time, but Livorno striker Ishak Belfodil failed to make the cut, although he remains on stand-by should Porto's Nabil Ghilas not shake off injury.

Just five of the squad, which will be trimmed to 23 on June 1 - a day after a warm-up match against Armenia in the Swiss city of Sion - are based in Algeria.

Algeria have been drawn in Group H alongside Belgium, Russia and South Korea, and kick off their campaign against the Belgians in Belo Horizonte on June 17.

Provionsal Algerian World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Rais M'bolhi (CSKA Sofia/BUL), Mohamed Zemmamouche (USM Alger), Ezzdine Doukha (USM El Harrach), Mohamed Cdric (CS Constantine)

Defenders: Essaid Belkalem (Watford/ENG), Madjid Bougherra (free agent), Lyassine Cadamuro (Real Mallorca/ESP), Faouzi Ghoulam (Napoli/ITA), Rafik Halliche (Academica Coimbra/POR), Nacereddine Khoualed (USM Alger), Aissa Mandi (Reims/FRA), Mehdi Mostefa (Ajaccio/FRA), Carl Medjani (Valenciennes/FRA), Djamel Mesbah (Livorno/ITA)

Midfielders: Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham/ENG), Ryad Boudebouz (Bastia/FRA), Yacine Brahimi (Granada/ESP), Adlene Guedioura (Crystal Palace/ENG), Amir Karaoui (ES Setif), Medhi Lacen (Getafe/ESP), Saphir Taider (Inter Milan/ITA), Hassen Yebda (Udinese/ITA)

Forwards: Rafik Djebour (Nottingham Forest/ENG), Abdelmoumen Djabou (Club Africain/TUN), Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia/ESP), Ryad Mahrez (Leicester City/ENG), Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon/POR), Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb/CRO), Foued Kadir (Rennes/FRA), Nabil Ghilas (FC Porto/POR)

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