Fifa World Cup 2026: What you need to know about Algeria
Algeria's players will be hoping to emulate the Fennecs' run to the last 16 in 2014 - the last World Cup they played in
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Get the lowdown on every team at the 2026 World Cup. Here we take a closer look at Algeria, the two-time champions of Africa.
What can I expect from Algeria?
A team that, on its day, is wonderful to watch. They have attacking talent in spades, ranging from the old hand Riyad Mahrez to the emerging Ibrahim Maza.
Vladimir Petkovic, the ballsy Bosnian who worked wonders with Switzerland, places a strong emphasis on fitness and is eyeing up second place in the group.
His usual 4-2-3-1 set-up invites full-backs Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rafik Belghali to attack with speed while two deeper midfielders sit in to protect a centre-back pairing that lacks pace, although a flatter 4-1-4-1 approach is also possible.
The Fennecs (Desert Foxes) advanced from the group stage in their previous World Cup in 2014. They might not replicate their fierce rivals Morocco's run to the semis in 2022, but don't be surprised if Algeria turn a few heads this summer.
What are Algeria's strengths?
A diverse range of options in attack will keep opposition managers guessing. Riyad Mahrez may no longer last 90 minutes, but his touch and finesse are still evident. Mohamed Amoura was prolific in qualifying, young Ibrahim Maza is supremely gifted, while Anis Hadj Moussa offers trickery off the bench.
And what about their weaknesses?
Since winning the 2019 Afcon, Algeria's record at major finals is ropey. They went out in the group stage at the following two editions before their recent run to the last eight. Three keepers with 10 caps between them is not ideal when they've kept just one clean sheet in their past 13 World Cup games.
How might Algeria line up?
Which players should I look out for?
Second in the all-time appearance and goalscoring lists for his country, Al-Ahli's Riyad Mahrez, 35, captains the side. A Champions League winner with Manchester City, he lifted five Premier League titles: four at the Etihad and one at Leicester City.
The 10-goal top scorer in African qualifying, diminutive Wolfsburg forward Mohamed Amoura, 26, notched his first international hat-trick last year against Mozambique. Won the Belgian Cup and scored in the Europa League with previous club Union SG.
The bright young hope of Algerian football, Bayer Leverkusen's Berlin-born playmaker Ibrahim Maza, 20, has been christened 'Mazadona' by fans for his excellent close control and creative spark.
Riyad Mahrez, the most expensive Algerian player of all-time, won five Premier League titles in his time with Leicester City and Manchester City
Who is Algeria's head coach?
Bosnian Vladimir Petkovic, 62, has delivered on the task set by the Algerian Football Federation to qualify for the 2025 Afcon and this World Cup. Lost just two of his 13 major tournament games with Switzerland inside 90 minutes.
How did Algeria qualify?
Produced a strong showing to top their group seven points clear of Uganda and Mozambique, winning eight out of 10 games and only failing to beat Guinea.
Where can I watch Algeria?
All of Algeria'smatches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!
Give me a fact to impress my friends.
Luca Zidane, son of the legendary former Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who won the 1998 World Cup with France on home soil, is Algeria's goalkeeper, qualifying through his dad's parents. The 28-year-old fractured his jaw in April and may wear a mask during games to protect his face.
Now give me some proper detail
In an expanded World Cup where critics are already cynical about the importance of some matches, Algeria's group offers them a mouth-watering chance to settle a historic score.
This is the Fennecs' fifth World Cup. On their debut in Spain '82, they exited at the first group stage, thanks in no small part to the 'Disgrace of Gijon'.
Austria, Group J opponents this time around, went 1-0 down to West Germany early on, a scoreline which meant both teams progressed. They played out the game at walking pace, neither side aiming to trouble the other.
Algeria, having wrapped up their group stage fixtures the previous day, were powerless to achieve the goal difference they needed to advance in second place, and the game prompted Fifa to review kick-off times so that final group games were played simultaneously in future.
It's an affair that still rankles in Algiers, and with coach Vladimir Petkovic's publicly-stated aim of making the last 16, that third group game against Austria could be one for the ages.
No player in Africa contributed more in front of goal in qualifying than Mohamed Amoura, although he didn't hit the same heights at this winter's Afcon.
"We will give everything to avoid returning home after three matches," Petkovic said in June before an impressive pre-tournament friendly win over the Netherlands. If they can prolong their stay with a result against Austria, ending 44 years of perceived injustice, it will be all the sweeter.
How have Algeria done at previous World Cups?
Algeria have made it out of the group stage just once in four previous appearances, taking eventual champions Germany into extra-time in the last 16 in 2014. This is their first finals since then.
