Algeria are returning to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since Brazil 2014.
Les Fennecs will be making their fifth appearance at the global showpiece and will arrive at FIFA World Cup 2026™ with belief, momentum and ambition.
Their last World Cup campaign produced a historic Round of 16 run, where they pushed eventual champions Germany into extra time.
Vladimir Petkovic took charge of Algeria in February 2024.
The experienced coach previously managed Switzerland, guiding them to the Round of 16 at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2020.
Before that, he also enjoyed club success with Lazio, winning the 2013 Coppa Italia.
With Algeria, Petkovic has quickly built momentum by securing qualification for both the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Algeria confirmed their World Cup qualification with a 3-0 victory over Somalia on Matchday 9 of the African preliminaries.
Les Verts finished the campaign with eight wins, one draw and only one defeat.
Mohamed Amoura was the standout performer, scoring ten goals and finishing well ahead of every other player in Group G.
Their strong qualification campaign showed Algeria’s attacking firepower and growing confidence under Petkovic.
Algeria made their FIFA World Cup debut at Spain 1982.
Their campaign began with a famous upset against West Germany, making Algeria the first African nation to defeat European opposition at the World Cup.
Rabah Madjer scored Algeria’s first-ever World Cup goal in that historic match.
Despite winning two of their three group matches, Algeria were eliminated on goal difference after West Germany’s narrow win over Austria in the final group game.
Brazil 2014 remains Algeria’s best World Cup campaign.
After losing narrowly to Belgium, Les Fennecs bounced back with a thrilling 4-2 win over Korea Republic.
A 1-1 draw with Russia then secured Algeria’s first-ever place in the Round of 16.
In the knockout stage, Algeria pushed eventual champions Germany into extra time before falling 2-1.
Their brave performance earned worldwide respect and remains one of the proudest moments in Algerian football history.
Algeria’s 1982 win over West Germany remains one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.
It was not only their first World Cup match, but also the first time an African team defeated European opposition at the tournament.
Another major milestone came in 2014, when Algeria became the first African team to score four goals in a single World Cup match during their 4-2 victory over Korea Republic.
That same tournament also saw Les Fennecs reach the knockout stage for the first time.
Salah Assad, Abdelmoumene Djabou and Islam Slimani share Algeria’s World Cup scoring record with two goals each.
Madjer scored Algeria’s first-ever World Cup goal in 1982, while Slimani’s equaliser against Russia in 2014 helped send Algeria into the knockout rounds.
Rafik Halliche holds Algeria’s record for most World Cup appearances.
The central defender featured in both the 2010 and 2014 tournaments and was almost ever-present across seven matches.
He also scored a powerful header in Algeria’s famous 4-2 victory over Korea Republic in 2014.
With Vladimir Petkovic leading the team and Mohamed Amoura in dangerous scoring form, Algeria return to the FIFA World Cup with renewed belief.
Les Fennecs will now aim to build on their famous 2014 campaign and push deeper than ever before in North America.
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