Algeria FIFA World Cup 2026 preview: Player to watch out for, tactics, predicted playing time

Algeria returns to the football spectacle after 2014, when it gave Belgium value for money in the group stage and dragged Germany to extra time in the round of 16.

But in the run-up to this World Cup, Algeria has the task of setting the record straight. It has several star names in its ranks, including Riyad Mahrez, Rayan Ait Nouri, Ramy Bensebaini and Luca Zidane

Algeria hardly seems like a team likely to be intimidated by the gravity of the occasion. However, recent performances make it look like a team that collapses in big moments. In 2023, the country faced a shocking group stage at the Africa Cup of Nations. In 2025, the country narrowly edged past DR Congo in the Round of 16 before losing to Nigeria.

If Algeria can build on a near-perfect CAF qualifying run and win eight of 10 matches, they could go deep in the competition. With neighboring country and arch-rival Morocco taking center stage in 2022, Algeria will be pushed to do even better this time.

Vladimir Petkovic, who coached Switzerland at the 2018 World Cup, taking over makes Algeria a stronger contender than Austria for the second direct spot in the knockouts.

Player to watch out for

Riyadh Mahrez: Mahrez is no stranger to the biggest stage, having played for Manchester City during their treble-winning season. He has 38 goals for Algeria and is eight goals clear of Islam Slimani. To do this in four or five games may be a bit of a gamble, but at the age of 35, Mahrez will not shy away from giving it a try.

Manager

The stakes are as much for Petkovic as for Algeria. His debut at major tournaments was not the best as his side lost convincingly 0-2 to Nigeria in the quarter-finals of AFCON. To beat DR Congo a round earlier, Algeria needed extra time. But in the run-up to the World Cup, Algeria drew 0-0 with Uruguay and defeated the Netherlands 1-0, suggesting Petkovic may be hitting the right notes at the right time.

World Cup statistics

• Appearance: 4

• Best finish: Round of 16 (2014)

• FIFA ranking: 28

• Matches played: 13

• Won: 3

• Drawn: 4

• Lost: 7

• GF: 13

• GA: 19

• Highest active goalscorer: Riyad Mahrez (38 goals)

Team

• Goalkeepers: Luca Zidane, Oussama Benbot, Melvin Mastil, Abdelatif Ramdane
• Defenders: Rafik Belghali, Samir Chergui, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Jaouen Hadjam, Aïssa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaini, Zineddine Belaid, Achref Abada, Mohamed Amine Tougai
• Midfielders: Nabil Bentaleb, Hicham Boudaoui, Houssem Aouar, Farès Chaïbi, Ibrahim Maza, Yacine Titraoui, Ramiz Zerrouki
• Forward: Mohamed Amine Amoura, Nadhir Benbouali, Adil Boulbina, Farès Ghedjemis, Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa, Riyad Mahrez

Published on June 10, 2026