A 20-year-old born in Berlin to Algerian and Vietnamese parents, who came up through the German youth system and now plays for the reigning Bundesliga champions, will suit up for Algeria this summer. Ibrahim Maza’s path to the 2026 World Cup is about as straightforward as a three-language family dinner.
Maza, who transferred to Bayer Leverkusen on July 1, 2025, has committed to the Algerian national team for the FIFA World Cup in North America. He made his senior debut for Algeria in October 2024, closing the door on two other international options and cementing one of the more fascinating identity stories heading into the tournament.
From Hertha to Leverkusen to the world stage
His debut Bundesliga season with Leverkusen produced 5 goals and 6 assists across 43 appearances. The numbers earned him multiple Rookie of the Month awards throughout the 2025/26 campaign. They also attracted serious attention from England’s top flight.
Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham have all reportedly shown interest. Arsenal went furthest, with a reported bid of around €40 million in April 2026. Leverkusen, who signed Maza to a deal running through June 30, 2030, appear to be in no rush to sell. His current market value sits at €45 million.
