Ibrahim Maza is preparing to step onto the biggest stage in world football in the colors of the Algerian national team. The 21-year-old midfielder was included by coach Vladimir Petkovic on June 1st in the squad for the biggest football event on the planet, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
For Vietnamese fans, this is particularly noteworthy information. Midfielder Maza was born in Berlin, Germany, with an Algerian father and a Vietnamese mother. He grew up in the German football academy system, playing for the country's U18, U19, and U20 youth teams before choosing to represent Algeria.
Those factors led to the 21-year-old star being considered for the German, Algerian, or Vietnamese national teams. However, after considering his professional goals and opportunities for international career development, Maza chose the national team of his father's homeland.
That decision paid off handsomely, because just over a year after joining Bayer Leverkusen from Hertha Berlin, the Vietnamese-born midfielder became one of the most promising young talents in the Bundesliga.
According to Transfermarkt, Maza's market value currently stands at 45 million euros (over 1.3 trillion VND). When he first moved to Leverkusen last summer, he was valued at 12 million euros.
Maza's value increased nearly fourfold in just one season because he made a significant impact on the pitch. The midfielder of Vietnamese descent scored 5 goals and provided 6 assists in 44 matches across all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen this season.
More detailed statistics show that the midfielder, born in 2005, played 28 matches, scored 3 goals and provided 4 assists in the Bundesliga; along with 2 goals in 4 appearances in the German Cup. In the Champions League, he participated in 12 matches and provided 2 assists.
Maza's rapid progress has made him one of the most promising young talents in the Algerian squad. Before the 2026 World Cup, he had already made 15 appearances for the national team and scored 2 goals.
The Algerian squad also includes goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane. The Granada goalkeeper, who was once the number one goalkeeper at the Africa Cup of Nations, is currently recovering from a fractured jaw and chin sustained in April.
Up front, veteran striker Riyad Mahrez continues to be Algeria's leader. The 35-year-old star currently plays for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia and brings with him the experience of a player who once won the Premier League with Manchester City.
Algeria returns to the World Cup after a 12-year wait. The North African team is in Group J along with defending champions Argentina, Austria, and Jordan.
Algeria's squad list for the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers: Oussama Benbot (USM Alger), Melvin Masstil (Stade Nyonnais), Luca Zidane (Granada).
Defenders: Achraf Abada (USM Alger), Rayan Ait-Nouri (Man City), Zinedine Belaid (JS Kabylie), Rafik Belghali (Verona), Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund), Samir Chergui (Paris FC), Jaouen Hadjam (Young Boys Bern), Aissa Mandi (Lille), Mohamed Amine Tougai (Esperance).
Midfielders: Houssem Aouar (Al-Ittihad), Nabil Bentaleb (Lille), Hicham Boudaoui (Nice), Fares Chaibi (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen), Yassine Titraoui (Charleroi), Ramiz Zerrouki (FC Twente).
Forwards: Mohamed Amine Amoura (VfL Wolfsburg), Nadir Benbouali (Gyori ETO), Adil Boulbina (Al-Duhail), Fares Ghedjemis (Frosinone), Amine Gouiri (Marseille), Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli), Anis Hadj Moussa (Feyenoord).
Reserve goalkeeper: Abdellatif Ramdane (Mouloudia Alger).
Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/ngoi-sao-goc-viet-dat-gia-nhat-the-gioi-du-world-cup-2026-post780063.html
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