You know that feeling when a giant finally wakes up? That's basically what's happening with the Algeria national football team right now. For a while there, it was looking pretty bleak. After the high of 2019, the team seemed to hit a wall, crashing out of tournaments and missing out on the big stage. But honestly, if you've been watching lately, the energy has completely shifted.
They’ve officially punched their ticket to the 2026 World Cup. It’s been a long twelve years since that legendary night in Porto Alegre where they pushed Germany to the absolute brink. I still remember people thinking they'd get thrashed by five or six goals, but they stood tall. Now, under Vladimir Petkovic, there’s this sense of "rebuilding with a purpose" rather than just relying on old legends.
The 3-0 win over Somalia back in October 2025 was the clincher. Riyad Mahrez was doing Mahrez things—assisting Mohamed Amoura and bagging a goal himself. It wasn't just a win; it felt like a statement. The Desert Foxes aren't just participating anymore; they're coming to compete.
What changed with the Algeria national football team?
The coaching change was the big one. Djamel Belmadi is a hero in Algeria, no doubt about it. He brought home the AFCON trophy in 2019, which was a massive deal. But toward the end, things felt a bit stagnant. Enter Vladimir Petkovic in early 2024. The guy has a serious resume—he took Switzerland to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020, remember? He brings a Swiss-style discipline that’s kinda refreshing.
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Since he took over, the stats are actually wild. We’re talking 19 wins out of 24 matches by early 2026. He’s not promising the moon, though. Petkovic keeps telling the press that reaching the quarter-finals of the 2025 AFCON was just a step in the process. He’s very big on "unity" and "pride." It’s less about individual flair and more about being a solid, hard-to-beat unit.
The new faces you need to watch
Everyone knows Mahrez. He’s the captain, the legend, the guy with the silkiest first touch in football. But the Algeria national football team is finally getting some fresh blood that isn't just "prospects" but actual starters at big clubs.
- Rayan Aït-Nouri: The kid is a machine. Moving to Manchester City from Wolves really leveled up his game. He’s arguably one of the best left-backs in Africa right now.
- Ibrahim Maza: This is the one everyone’s talking about. He’s been killing it at Leverkusen. During the 2025 AFCON group stages, he scored a beauty against Equatorial Guinea.
- Mohamed Amoura: Speed. Pure, unadulterated speed. He’s become the perfect partner for the veteran Islam Slimani.
- Adil Boulbina: He was the hero in the Round of 16 against DR Congo, coming off the bench to score a 118th-minute winner. Talk about clutch.
It’s a weird mix of old and new. You’ve still got Aïssa Mandi holding down the defense with over 110 caps, but then you’ve got these hungry 20-year-olds who don't have the "trauma" of past failures.
The AFCON 2025 rollercoaster
The recent Africa Cup of Nations was a bit of a heartbreaker, but also a sign of progress. Algeria breezed through the group stage—three wins from three. They looked unstoppable. Beating Burkina Faso 1-0 and dismantling Sudan 3-0. They even played a "B team" against Equatorial Guinea and still won 3-1.
Then came that tense match against DR Congo. It was 0-0 for nearly two hours. I thought it was going to penalties, and we all know how those can be a coin toss. But Boulbina’s late strike saved everyone's nerves.
Unfortunately, the run ended against Nigeria in the quarter-finals. Losing 2-0 to the Super Eagles hurt, especially with Victor Osimhen in such clinical form. But compared to the last two AFCONs where Algeria didn't even get out of the group? This was a massive step forward. Petkovic basically said, "Look, we're rebuilding. We needed this experience."
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Why 2026 feels different
There’s a different vibe about this qualification. In 2010 and 2014, it felt like a miracle. This time, it feels like they belong. Being the 20th team globally to qualify for the 2026 World Cup—and the fourth from Africa—shows they were ahead of the curve.
The expanded 48-team format means more eyes, more pressure, but also more opportunity. Algeria is likely to be in Pot 3, which isn't bad. They’ve shown they can handle European giants before. Remember 1982? Beating West Germany 2-1 remains one of the greatest upsets in history. Even the "Disgrace of Gijón" where Germany and Austria basically colluded to kick them out couldn't take away from how good that team was.
That historical chip on the shoulder still exists. It’s part of the national team’s DNA.
Practical takeaways for fans
If you're following the Algeria national football team heading into the 2026 cycle, here’s what you should actually keep an eye on:
- The Midfield Balance: Watch if Ismaël Bennacer can stay fit. When he and Houssem Aouar are clicking, Algeria controls the tempo against anyone.
- The "Post-Mahrez" Transition: Riyad is 34 now. He’s still the king, but Petkovic is clearly giving more responsibility to guys like Farès Chaïbi and Amine Gouiri.
- Away Form: Historically, Algeria struggled in sub-Saharan Africa. The fact they’ve been winning consistently away from home in the qualifiers is a huge tactical shift.
- The Goalkeeper Situation: Anthony Mandrea has been solid, but keep an eye on the younger keepers in the domestic league. A reliable #1 is what usually separates a good run from a legendary one.
The road to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico is basically a victory lap and a training camp all in one now. The pressure of qualifying is off. Now, it's about fine-tuning the machine.
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Actionable Next Steps:
- Track the Friendlies: Keep an eye on the international breaks in late 2025 and early 2026. Petkovic usually tests new defensive pairings during these "low-stakes" games.
- Watch the Youngsters in Europe: Follow Ibrahim Maza (Leverkusen) and Rayan Aït-Nouri (Man City) in their club matches. Their form there is the best indicator of how Algeria will perform against elite nations.
- Monitor the FIFA Rankings: Algeria has been climbing back toward the top 30. A higher ranking usually leads to a more favorable draw in the final tournament groups.