Algeria
Algeria are a CAF national team and Africa Cup of Nations winners who reached the 1982 World Cup as one of the most dramatic debutants in the tournament’s history.
The Desert Foxes have carried the weight of 1982 ever since. On June 16 of that year, Algeria beat West Germany 2-1 in Gijón, Spain, delivering what remains one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. Two days later, West Germany and Austria played out the Disgrace of Gijón, a 1-0 result that conveniently eliminated Algeria on goal difference. FIFA changed the rules for final group stage games as a direct consequence. That match, and its theft, is the foundation of everything Algeria plays for at every subsequent tournament.
The team recovered its footing by winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 1990, then again in 2019, that second title arriving with a tactically cohesive squad under coach Djamel Belmadi and a pivotal goal from Baghdad Bounedjah in the 2nd minute of the final against Senegal. The 2019 side was built on structure: a narrow 4-3-3 that compressed quickly in transition and relied on Riyad Mahrez’s creativity to open compact defences. Mahrez, who spent his peak club years at Leicester City and Manchester City, remains the most technically gifted player Algeria has produced, with the ability to cut inside on his left from either flank.
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Algeria reached the last 16 and pushed eventual champions Germany to extra time in Porto Alegre. The final score was 2-1 in normal time territory but the match lasted 120 minutes, and Mesut Özil’s relief at the final whistle said everything about how close it was. Algeria’s Islam Slimani and Sofiane Feghouli gave German defenders problems for two hours.
For 2026, Algeria qualified through AFCON and World Cup qualifying with a squad still centred on technical wide players and disciplined midfield structure. Youcef Atal and Said Benrahma provide threat from wide positions. The team presses high when in rhythm and is vulnerable to quick transitions when that press breaks.
Algeria plays in Algiers, which sits in the UTC+1 timezone. For fans following from Algeria, a 20:00 kickoff in North America translates to a 02:00 or 03:00 start, meaning the diaspora communities in France and elsewhere in Europe carry the watching culture. The largest Algerian football community outside North Africa is in France, where the team’s matches draw television audiences that rival Ligue 1 fixtures.