🏆
2
AFCON titles
Champions of Africa in 1990 (host) and 2019.
LES FENNECSAFRICAN CHAMPIONS 2019
FILE No. 32CLASS: DARK HORSESTATUS: THE DESERT FOXES RETURNWC 2026 · USA·CAN·MEX
☆Back on the big stage after missing the last two.
ALGERIA
Les Fennecs// the Desert Foxes are back — with flair, pace and a point to prove
“We belong here. 2014 was proof. 2019 was the trophy.”— The view from Algiers
The record
2 — 1990, 2019
AFCON titles
R16 — 2014
Best WC finish
5
WC appearances
#28
FIFA Ranking
01 · The Dossier — The Soul
Flair from the desert,
fire in the belief
Algeria blends North African technique with the energy of a huge European-raised diaspora. When the Desert Foxes click, they're one of the most watchable sides on the continent — and 2014 proved they belong among the world's best.
The diaspora+Technical flair+2019 champions+Belief
The SaharaLes FennecsAFCON 2019The 2014 runOne-Two-Three Viva l'Algérie
Algeria's modern strength is a diaspora raised in France's academies, fused with home-grown talent. The result is a technical, quick, expressive side — at its peak when it plays with freedom and belief.
The 2014 World Cup was the breakthrough: a thrilling run to the last 16, taking eventual champions Germany to extra time. Five years later came the 2019 AFCON title. After missing 2018 and 2022, the Foxes are back — determined to remind the world of that 2014 spirit.
02 · The Cabinet — Honours
The silverware
Two African crowns and the most celebrated World Cup run in the nation's history.
05 · The Legend — The Maestro
Rabah Madjer
His backheel won a European Cup final for Porto in 1987 — the most famous goal an Algerian ever scored. Rabah Madjer was the artist at the heart of Algeria's golden 1980s generation.
That side beat West Germany at the 1982 World Cup, only to be cheated of the next round by the infamous Gijón collusion. Madjer's brilliance defined an era when Algeria first announced itself.
From Madjer's backheel to Mahrez's left foot, Algeria has always produced players who do the unexpected — the flair that is the team's signature.
// The Algerian greats
02
Riyad Mahrez
PL champion · the modern captain
03
Lakhdar Belloumi
African POTY 1981
04
Islam Slimani
All-time top scorer
MADJER
Rabah Madjer
1987
European Cup
🦶
The backheel
🇩🇿
1982 hero
06 · Threat Assessment
⚠ HOSTILE · THE WORLD CHAMPIONS
The enemy
Group J opens with the toughest task of all — the holders, Argentina, in Kansas City. Survive that, and two winnable games could send the Foxes through.
Argentina — the holdersMAXIMUM
Austria — the second-place fightHIGH
Consistency — the old flawREAL
Algeria can beat anyone on its day and lose to anyone on its off-day. The talent says knockouts; the temperament will decide.
The wounds
// the scars
// Group J — the field
Argentina
GROUP J
The world champions — the daunting opener in Kansas City.
Austria
GROUP J
Rangnick's pressing machine — the likely Matchday 3 decider.
Jordan
GROUP J
The debutants — the must-win to keep qualification alive.
04 · The road — The road · WC 2026
Kickoff
13
Days
11
Hours
33
Mins
03
Secs
Until Algeria's first kick — vs Argentina · June 16
07 · The Captain
Lightning rod
A Premier League title-winner and the most gifted Algerian of his generation, Riyad Mahrez is the man the whole team looks to. At 35, this is his stage to finally shine at a World Cup.
MAHREZ
PL champion · CityThe captainAFCON 2019 heroAge 35
30+
Algeria goals
🏆
PL & UCL · City
©
Captain
He won everything in England and an AFCON for his country, but missed the last two World Cups. “This is the stage that's eluded him.”
The Foxes Meter
// flatter to deceive, or finally fire?
Frustrating exitEchoes of 2014
Current reading
The 2014 spirit
With Mahrez orchestrating and Amoura and Gouiri finishing, this attack can hurt anyone. A repeat of the 2014 run is well within reach.
08 · Key Power · World Cup 2026
MOHAMED AMOURA
The flyer · Wolfsburg · No. 11
Mahrez is the artist; Mohamed Amoura is the speed that makes the art lethal. Electric, direct and a prolific scorer in the Bundesliga, he gives Algeria a runner who terrifies high defensive lines and turns Mahrez's passes into goals. The Foxes' attack only became scary again when Amoura arrived.
⚡
The flyer
26
Age at the World Cup
№11
Wolfsburg
The last line of the file
In 2014 we scared the world.
Now we come back for more.
Les FennecsThe diasporaGroup JThe 2014 spiritViva l'Algérie
Squad
As of 2026-06-01
Manager
V. Petković