2025–26 USM Alger season

The 2025–26 season, is USM Alger's 48th season and the club's 31st consecutive season in the top flight of Algerian football. In addition to the domestic league, USM Alger are participating in this season's editions of the Algerian Cup, the Super Cup and the Confederation Cup. The Algerian Professional Football League (LFP) officially released the calendar for the 2025–26 Ligue 1 Mobilis season on July 10, 2025. The Ligue 1 kick off on Thursday, August 21, 2025, and conclude with the 30th and final matchday on May 16, 2026. As in recent years, league matches will be held every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, offering better scheduling balance and improved logistical conditions for clubs and broadcasters.^[3]

On July 7, 2025, USM Alger officially announced the appointment of Lamine Kebir as the new directeur technique sportif (DTS) for the youth categories. He replaces Sofiane Benkhelifa and has signed a two-year contract. In its statement, the club recalled that Kebir is no stranger to USMA, having previously led the senior team to success, most notably winning the Ligue 1 title in 2019. His return is part of a new strategy focused on youth development, with a mission to lead the club’s academy project and structure and supervise the youth setup.^[4]

The Board of Directors of USM Alger held a meeting on July 12, 2025, by Boubekeur Abid, to discuss several organizational matters. The board was reinforced with three new members, Fayçal Ouagnouni, Abdelhak Bousbia and Saïd Isoulah to support the club in the upcoming phase. The chairman was authorized to sign a cooperation agreement with the CETIC center to conduct a comprehensive organizational study, including the youth academy. He was also granted authority to sign the amateur club agreement for the 2025–26 season. The board presented a draft employment contract to Saïd Allik for the position of technical director. The proposed contract aligns with Allik’s requests and current labor regulations and will be submitted to the owning company, Groupe SERPORT, for final approval.^[5][6]

On July 16, USM Alger has issued an official warning to Cosider and the AVMETAL engineering firm, responsible for building its training center. This decision follows several unresolved issues despite repeated notices. Key concerns include major delays, non compliant work, and lack of resources. There is also a near-total lack of coordination and ongoing tensions between stakeholders. The club has given a maximum deadline of 8 days to address the problems. If no action is taken, USMA will pursue all necessary legal measures.^[7]

As part of the implementation of instructions issued by Saïd Sayoud, Minister of Transport, regarding the management and restructuring of USM Alger, a club affiliated with Groupe SERPORT, the club officially signed a work contract on July 17, 2025, with Saïd Allik, appointing him as Sporting General Manager. This appointment falls within a new strategic approach aimed at reviving the club on solid professional foundations, by strengthening its structure with experienced and competent profiles capable of making a tangible impact on the club’s sporting management. Allik has been granted full authority over the recruitment file, reflecting the club’s strong confidence in his extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the team’s inner workings. This move is expected to contribute to reorganizing the sporting sector, ensuring rational and efficient management in line with the club’s short and long term objectives.^[8]

On July 22, 2025, Algeria A' national team coach Madjid Bougherra revealed the 26-player list for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to take place this summer in East Africa. Among the selected players, five players from USM Alger have made the squad, highlighting the club’s strong representation in the national team. The players are: Saâdi Radouani, Adam Alilet, Ilyes Chetti, Zakaria Draoui, Mehdi Merghem and Diaa Eddine Mechid.^[9]

On July 26, 2025, USM Alger's management condemned the spread of false information on social media, falsely presented as official club statements. The club criticized the use of an old logo, legally banned by court ruling, in these fake posts. Such actions are deemed harmful and illegal, undermining the team’s efforts. The club emphasized that it continues to work calmly and professionally to build a strong squad. Supporters are urged to rely only on official club sources for accurate information. Legal action may be taken against those who damage the club’s image or visual identity.^[10]

After two weeks of rest, USM Alger resumed training on July 20 in Algiers, with a first phase of preparation that included a training camp at the Dar Diaf hotel. In the absence of a head coach, it was physical trainer Modjahed Belaid who led the sessions, despite the absence of several A’ international players. Starting August 4, 2025, the team enters the most crucial stage of the preseason: a twelve day training camp in Tabarka, Tunisia, running until August 16. This phase will be mainly focused on technical and tactical work, as the club continues to await the appointment of a new head coach.^[11]

Less than two weeks before their opening clash against JS Kabylie, USM Alger still have no head coach. The Algerian Cup holders are currently in training camp in Tunisia under the temporary supervision of fitness coach Belaid Medjahed. Since returning to power, Saïd Allik has been searching for a high profile manager to succeed Mohamed Lacet, who had stepped in after the departure of Marcos Paquetá. Talks with Senegal’s Aliou Cissé, currently in charge of Libya’s national team, quickly ended after he declined the offer. A comeback for Spaniard Juan Carlos Garrido was considered but failed to win over the fans. According to journalist Samir Lamari, Malian coach Éric Chelle, free since leaving MC Oran before taking charge of Nigeria’s national side, is now being mentioned. USMA are racing against the clock to appoint a coach before the start of the 2025-2026 season.^[12]

On August 12, 2025, USM Alger officially announced the appointment of Abdelhak Benchikha as head coach for a one-year term. He succeeds Mohamed Lacet, whose contract was not renewed. Benchikha is making his return to the “Red and Black” bench, having already led the team in 2023 to a historic double: the CAF Confederation Cup and the CAF Super Cup, won against Egypt’s Al Ahly. « Benchikha is one of the iconic figures in the club’s history, having guided our team to great success. We welcome him back to the Union family and wish him every success in leading the team to further titles »,” read USMA’s statement.^[1][2] USM Alger’s officially announced, on August 20, the appointment of Arezki Remmane as the assistant coach of the first team. In its statement, the club explained that this decision is part of strengthening the technical staff in preparation for the upcoming sporting season.^[13]

USM Alger has kicked off its 2025–26 summer transfer window with the departure of the Congolese international defender Kévin Mondeko on July 8, 2025. The club officially announced on July 8, 2025, that it had mutually agreed to terminate the player’s contract, just one season after his arrival from TP Mazembe. This move marks the first concrete step in the expected squad reshuffle.^[14][15] On the same day, USM Alger announced the departure of Oussama Chita after eight years at the club. He played 197 matches and won four titles. The club praised his discipline, fighting spirit, and loyalty. Chita was among the few players to remain at the club for several consecutive seasons. His farewell comes just days after winning the Algerian Cup with USMA.^[16]

On July 10, 2025, USM Alger thanks Adalid Terrazas following his transfer to San Antonio Bulo Bulo. The Bolivian midfielder spent one season with the club, showing professionalism and commitment. Though he did not play in the Algerian Cup final, he was part of the squad that won the trophy. “USM Alger values the efforts and attitude of Adalid Terrazas during his time with the club. We thank him for his dedication and wish him the best of luck in the rest of his professional career.”^[17][18] Imadeddine Azzi will no longer wear USMA’s colors. After a one season loan crowned with an Algerian Cup title, Kazma of Kuwait rejected USMA’s offer of $300,000. Eventually, Russian club FC Dynamo Makhachkala sealed the deal by paying the $500,000 release clause. The defender now moves to Russia, bringing his chapter with the Reds and Blacks to a close.^[19]

On July 29, 2025, USM Alger officially presented their new signing, Che Malone, cameroonian international defender. Having arrived in Algiers ten days earlier, Malone signed a two-year contract running until June 2027, after successfully completing his medical. The club announced the deal on its official Facebook page. Transferred from Simba for €200,000, the Tanzanian club will also receive 15% of any future resale. Versatile in defense, Che can play as a center-back or right-back and is considered a high-potential talent.^[20][21] USMA also unveiled Mohamed Bouderbala from USM El Harrach, who signed a three-year deal.^[22][23] Two days after that, Zakaria Draoui signed a two-year contract with USM Alger after mutually terminating his deal with MC Alger, Draoui becomes the club’s third summer signing, following Malone and Bouderbala. Draoui completed the move just before departing for Uganda with the Algeria A’ team to take part in CHAN 2025.^[24]

USM Alger play their first match of the season on August 31, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. against MC Alger, as part of the second round of Ligue 1 Mobilis. The game take place at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida, with attendance restricted exclusively to 6,000 USMA supporters. The club’s management specified that tickets, allocated in stands 6 to 10, will be sold at the Omar Hamadi Stadium, with further details on sales procedures to be announced later. Since their opening match against JS Kabylie was postponed due to several USMA players being called up to the national A’ team for CHAN 2024 (rescheduled to 2025), the Red and Black will therefore begin their campaign with the major Algiers derby.^[25]

USM Alger started their season with a 0-0 draw. Abdelhak Benchikha fielded a balanced lineup with Che Malone and Alilet in defense, and an attacking trio of Ghacha, Benayad, and Khaldi. The team created a few chances but failed to convert in what was a tightly contested derby. This first test allows Benchikha to draw lessons ahead of the upcoming league fixtures.^[26]

On 30 November 2025, Salim Boukhanchouche left the club after terminating his contract by mutual consent.^[27]Two weeks later, Emmanuel Ernest left the club also after terminating his contract by mutual consent.^[28] On 22 December 2025, the Ivorian striker Dramane Kamagaté signed five-year contract from San Pédro.^[29]

Players and squad numbers last updated on 22 December 2025.^[30]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Updated to match played 22 December 2025
Source: Competitions

The league fixtures were announced on 31 July 2025.^[47]

All times are local, WAT (UTC+1).

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed

In the qualifying rounds, each tie will be played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. If the aggregate score will be tied after the second leg, the away goals rule will be applied, and if still tied, extra time will not be played, and a penalty shoot-out will be used to determine the winner (Regulations III. 13 & 14). The draw for the qualifying rounds was held on 9 August 2025, 10:00 GMT (13:00 local time, UTC+3), in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.^[50]

The draw for the group stage was held on 3 November 2025, 11:00 GMT (13:00 local time, UTC+2), in Johannesburg, South Africa.^[51] The 16 winners of the second round were drawn into four groups of four. The teams were seeded by their performances in the CAF competitions for the previous five seasons (CAF 5-year ranking points shown next to every team). Each group contained one team from each of Pot 1 and Pot 2, Pot 3 and Pot 4, and each team was allocated to the positions in their group according to their pot.

As of 22 December 2025

As of 22 December 2025

As of 22 December 2025

Includes all competitive matches.

As of 22 December 2025

Includes all competitive matches.

As of 22 December 2025

Includes all competitive matches.