Aïssa Mandi Announces Retirement from International Duty with Algeria

Algerian defender Aïssa Mandi has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a career that spanned over a decade with the Desert Warriors. This comes just days after captain Riyad Mahrez also announced his international retirement.

Aissa Mandi, 34, has decided to retire from international football after Algeria's exit in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, losing 2-0 to Switzerland. This marks the end of his international career after participating in his last World Cup.

Mandi said in an emotional message on his official accounts: "It's time for me to say goodbye to you."

The current Levante defender departs from the Algerian national team as the most capped player in its history, having played 122 international matches and scored 8 goals. He was also one of the standout figures of the generation that clinched the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2019, concluding a career that will remain etched in the annals of Algerian football.