CAF · Group J
Algeria at FIFA World Cup 2026
Algeria qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the first 48-team edition, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Group J opponents
Algeria plays the following three teams in the group stage. Top 2 advance to the Round of 32; the 3rd-placed team can still advance via the best-3rd-placed playoff route (8 of 12 third-placed teams qualify).
Algeria fixtures
Algeria in the tournament
Algeria arrives at the 2026 World Cup ranked #36 in the FIFA World Ranking with a tournament strength rating of 67/100. CAF (Africa) sends 9 teams, up from 5 in the previous edition. Morocco reached the semifinals in 2022.
The 48-team format puts Algeria in Group J with Argentina, Austria, Jordan. On FIFA ranking alone, the group averages #33, with Algeria in the middle of the pack. Top 2 advance automatically; the best 3rd-placed teams (8 of 12) also qualify for the Round of 32.
Algeria squad for World Cup 2026
Announced May 29, 2026 · 25 players · Head coach: Vladimir Petkovic
Algeria return after missing 2022. Captain Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) leads; Manchester City's Rayan Ait-Nouri is the rising star. Coach Vladimir Petkovic -- who took Switzerland to Euro 2020 quarter-finals -- now manages the Fennec Foxes.
Goalkeepers3
- Luca Zidane(Granada)Son of Zinedine Zidane
- Oussama Benbot(USM Alger)
- Melvin Mastil(Stade Nyonnais)
Defenders9
- Aissa Mandi(Lille)
- Ramy Bensebaini(Borussia Dortmund)
- Mohamed Amine Tougai(Esperance de Tunis)
- Rayan Ait-Nouri(Manchester City)
- Jaouen Hadjam(Young Boys)
- Rafik Belghali(Hellas Verona)
- Zineddine Belaid(JS Kabylie)
- Achref Abada(USM Alger)
- Samir Chergui(Paris FC)
Midfielders7
- Nabil Bentaleb(Lille)
- Ramiz Zerrouki(Twente)
- Hicham Boudaoui(Nice)
- Fares Chaibi(Eintracht Frankfurt)
- Houssem Aouar(Al-Ittihad)
- Ibrahim Maza(Bayer Leverkusen)
- Yacine Titraoui(Charleroi)
Forwards7
- Riyad MahrezCaptain(Al-Ahli)
- Mohamed Amoura(VfL Wolfsburg)
- Amine Gouiri(Marseille)
- Anis Hadj Moussa(Feyenoord)
- Adil Boulbina(Al-Duhail)
- Nadhir Benbouali(Gyor)
- Fares Ghedjemis(Frosinone)
Sources: Sky Sports. Squads may change due to injury or disciplinary action before the tournament.
Frequently asked questions about Algeria
When does Algeria play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Algeria plays 3 scheduled group-stage matches starting June 17, 2026. The opener is against ARG. See the full fixtures list below for every kickoff time and venue.
What group is Algeria in at the World Cup 2026?
Algeria is in Group J alongside Argentina, Austria, Jordan. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 32, plus the 8 best 3rd-placed teams across all 12 groups.
What is Algeria's FIFA ranking?
Algeria entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 ranked #36 in the FIFA World Ranking. This places them in the top 50 globally. Rankings update through the qualification cycle.
Can Algeria win the World Cup 2026?
Algeria's pre-tournament strength rating is 67/100, derived from FIFA ranking, recent form, and squad depth. They are competitive group-stage participants; advancing to the knockouts would be a strong tournament. Try them in the bracket predictor to test your scenario.