Algeria’s Football History
Algeria’s national football team nicknamed as “The Fennec Foxes” is governed by the Algerian Football Federation (Fédération Algérienne de Football) and represents the country in international football competitions. The team was founded in the year 1964 and participation in the world football cup started in the year 1982 and till now the team has qualified four times.
Besides participating in the grand tournament, the national team of Algeria has been playing in the Africa Cup of Nations since 1968 and in All-Africa Games since 1965. Besides, the football team has been participating in the Mediterranean Games since 1975, Arab Nations Cup since 1988 and Pan Arab Games since 1985. It is currently placed at 59th in Elo rankings. The home ground of the Algerian national football team is Stade 5 Juillet 1962 or 5 July 1962 Stadium, also known as El Djezair Stadium located in Algiers, Algeria. It’s a multi-purpose stadium which also offers the facilities of an athletic ground besides being a football stadium.
Algeria’s Olympic Games participation began as early as 1896 but it was able to qualify only in the year 1980 where it reached the quarter-finals of the tournament. The national football team also participated twice in the Arab Nations Cup but did not achieve any satisfactory results. Besides the above-mentioned, it earned success in the Palestine Cup of Nations finishing 3rd in 1972 and 1973 respectively. The team also played the Vahdat Cup of 1982 which was hosted by Iran. It finished runners-up in the tournament.
Algeria’s Success Story
The team did not gain any significant success in the world football cup and its participation was only limited to the first round of the tournament. It has reached the first round of the prestigious cup of soccer three times up until now. As far as the Africa Cup of Nations’ participation is concerned, it has been quite successful by grabbing the title in the year 1990, finished runners-up in 1980 and securing the third position twice in 1984 and 1988. The team also won a gold medal in the All-Africa Games held in 1978. It also won a gold medal in the Mediterranean Games in the year 1975, silver medal in 1993 and bronze in 1979. Despite an average performance throughout their history, the team was able to qualify for the World Football Cup in Brazil.
Algeria squad |
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| Goalkeepers: | Rais M’bolhi (CSKA Sofia/BUL) Mohamed Zemmamouche (USM Alger) Ezzdine Doukha (USM El Harrach) Mohamed Cdric (CS Constantine) |
Defenders: | Essaid Belkalem (Watford/ENG) Madjid Bougherra (free agent) Lyassine Cadamuro (Real Mallorca/ESP) Faouzi Ghoulam (Napoli/ITA) Rafik Halliche (Academica Coimbra/POR) Nacereddine Khoualed (USM Alger) Aissa Mandi (Reims/FRA) Mehdi Mostefa (Ajaccio/FRA) Carl Medjani (Valenciennes/FRA) Djamel Mesbah (Livorno/ITA) |
| Midfielders: | Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham/ENG) Ryad Boudebouz (Bastia/FRA) Yacine Brahimi (Granada/ESP) Adlene Guedioura (Crystal Palace/ENG) Amir Karaoui (ES Setif), Medhi Lacen (Getafe/ESP) Saphir Taider (Inter Milan/ITA) Hassen Yebda (Udinese/ITA) |
Forwards: | Rafik Djebour (Nottingham Forest/ENG) Abdelmoumen Djabou (Club Africain/TUN) Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia/ESP) Ryad Mahrez (Leicester City/ENG) Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon/POR) Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb/CRO) Foued Kadir (Rennes/FRA) Nabil Ghilas (FC Porto/POR) |
Algeria’s Performance in all World Football Cups :
| World Football Cup Year | World Football Cup Hosting Nation | World Football Cup Qualification | Quarter Final Birth | Semi Final Birth | Third Place Secured | Reached Final | Title Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | South Africa | Yes | No | – | – | – | – |
| 2006 | Germany | No | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2002 | South Korea | No | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1998 | France | No | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1994 | United States | No | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1990 | Italy | No | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1986 | Mexico | Yes | No | – | – | – | – |
| 1982 | Spain | Yes | No | – | – | – | – |
| 1978 | Argentina | No | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1974 | West Germany | No | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1970 | Mexico | No | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1966 | England | Withdrew | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1962 | Chile | Did Not Enter | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1958 | Sweden | Did Not Enter | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1954 | Switzerland | Did Not Enter | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1950 | Brazil | Did Not Enter | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1938 | France | Did Not Enter | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1934 | Italy | Did Not Enter | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1930 | Uruguay | Did Not Enter | – | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 19 World Football Cups | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
