Watford defender Essaïd Belkalem has been named on the substitute’s bench for Algeria in their World Cup group H opener against Belgium.

The 25-year-old centre-back only made seven starts and three substitute appearances during his first season with the Hornets but did enough to earn a place in his country's 23-man squad.

Belgium are the strong favourites to win this afternoon's game in Belo Horizonte and are also expected to top a group which also contains South Korea and Russia.

Algeria: Mbolhi, Bougherra, Ghoulam, Halliche, Feghouli, Medjani, Bentaleb, Soudani, Taider, Mahrez, Mostefa

Algeria substitutes: Zemmamouche, Si Mohammed, Cadamuro-Bentaiba, Mandi, Belkalem, Mesbah, Brahimi, Djabou, Yebda, Lacen, Ghilas, Slimani.

Belgium: Courtois, Alderweireld,  Van Buyten, Kompany, Vertonghen, Witsel, Dembele, De Bruyne, E.Hazard, Chadli, Lukaku

Belgium substitutes: Mignolet, Bossut, Vermaelen, Lombaerts, Vanden Borre, Ciman, Fellaini, Defour, Januzaj, Mirallas, Mertens, Origi.