Nation dossier · Group J · In contention
Algeria
People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
Up next Algeria v Austria · Group J
Title probability
0.0%
as of 2026-06-25
Overview
Algeria arrive at the 2026 World Cup desperate to bury the memory of consecutive group-stage exits at the 2014 high-water mark and an agonising failure to reach Qatar 2022. The Desert Foxes boast a golden generation of European-based talent led by the evergreen Riyad Mahrez, blending experience with rising stars.
Under a reshaped setup, Algeria have rediscovered swagger in CAF qualifying, but questions linger over defensive solidity and converting dominance into results against elite opposition. Ambition is high — anything less than the knockout rounds would feel like underachievement for this talented pool.
Capital
Algiers
Population
44,900,000
Confederation
CAF
FIFA code
ALG
From Wikipedia
Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. Spanning over 2,381,741 square kilometres (919,595 sq mi), it is the largest country in Africa and the tenth largest in the world. It is bordered to the northeast by Tunisia; to the east by Libya; to the…
Source: Wikipedia →Squad
- 18caps
Anthony Mandrea
Angers · Reliable shot-stopper in goal
- 164caps
Alexis Guendouz
MC Alger · Domestic league number two
- 232caps
Oussama Benbot
USM Alger · Promising young understudy
- 290caps
Aïssa Mandi
Lille · Veteran defensive leader
- 350caps
Ramy Bensebaini
Borussia Dortmund · Marauding attacking left-back
- 415caps
Mohamed Amine Tougai
Esperance Tunis · Commanding central defender
- 540caps
Youcef Atal
Al-Sadd · Pacey overlapping right-back
- 1512caps
Ahmed Touba
Al-Khaleej · Composed ball-playing defender
- 1710caps
Jaouen Hadjam
Young Boys · Energetic full-back option
- 188caps
Houcine Benayada
CR Belouizdad · Versatile back-line cover
- 2014caps
Abdelkahar Kadri
RWD Molenbeek · Tenacious flexible defender
- 650caps
Ismael Bennacer
AC Milan · Midfield metronome and engine
- 812caps
Houssem Aouar
Real Betis · Creative deep-lying playmaker
- 1045caps
Nabil Bentaleb
Lille · Combative box-to-box presence
- 1318caps
Ramiz Zerrouki
Feyenoord · Tireless ball-winning midfielder
- 1415caps
Adem Zorgane
Charleroi · Progressive young midfielder
- 1916caps
Farès Chaïbi
Eintracht Frankfurt · Direct attacking midfielder
- 2130caps
Adam Ounas
Lille · Tricky creative spark
- 795caps
Riyad Mahrez
Al-Ahli · Captain, talisman and matchwinner
- 998caps
Islam Slimani
CR Belouizdad · Record-breaking veteran goalscorer
- 1120caps
Mohamed Amoura
Wolfsburg · Lightning-quick striker threat
- 1218caps
Yassine Benzia
Dijon · Versatile attacking option
- 2250caps
Baghdad Bounedjah
Al-Sadd · Clinical penalty-box poacher
Model
as of 2026-06-25Exp. points
4.02
Proj. finish
26.9
Seed Elo
1700
Title-probability trajectory
Champion chance across the last 14 snapshots
Matches
History
2022
Did not qualify / Group stage
Culture
Football culture
Football is Algeria's undisputed national obsession, with packed cafés and roaring crowds whenever the national team plays. The diaspora connection means many top stars are dual-nationals raised in French academies. Local clubs like MC Alger and CR Belouizdad command fierce, colourful followings.
Did you know
- Algeria is the largest country in Africa and the Arab world by area.
- The 1982 win over West Germany ranks among the World Cup's greatest shocks.
- Most squad members were born or developed in France.
- Riyad Mahrez won the Premier League title twice with Leicester and Manchester City.
- The Sahara covers more than four-fifths of Algerian territory.