Two AFCON championships, a spectacular World Cup upset, and a notorious scandal have all distinguished the North African nation's football path.
A study of stark differences may be found in the history of Algeria's national football squad in important competitions. "The Fennecs" have a complicated and tumultuous history at the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). |
| Algeria's national football |
Their diaspora has been ardently following their path, which includes four World Cup participation, two continental titles won 29 years apart, and one of the biggest scandals in the history of the sport.
Algeria's current football identity is defined by this legacy: a squad that can dominate the region and defeat world powerhouses, but is prone to perplexing inconsistency.
Since the team's success is frequently regarded as a gauge of national pride, the highs and lows of their tournament performances are subject to intense public celebration or scrutiny.
In 1990, Algeria hosted the AFCON tournament and won their first championship.
After the triumph in 1990, the continent experienced drought for over thirty years. Algeria was a dark horse going into the 2019 AFCON in Egypt after many unsuccessful campaigns.
The team underwent a transformation under Djamel Belmadi's leadership. Belmadi developed on them a strong mindset and a strict tactical discipline that many have referred to as "warriors."
The entire competition, the Fennecs were flawless. They defeated eventual finalists Senegal 1-0 and moved from their group without giving up a goal.
They overcame Guinea, Ivory Coast (in a thrilling penalty shootout), and Nigeria in the knockout stages. Nigeria won the semi-final thanks to a spectacular free strike by Riyad Mahrez.
The match versus Senegal was a hard and tight final. Only 79 seconds into the game, Algeria took a 1-0 lead that they would hold for the rest of the contest thanks to a deflected shot from striker Baghdad Bounedjah.
The four FIFA World Cup qualifying years for Algeria are 1982, 1986, 2010, and 2014. On the largest stage in the world, their tale is one of first shock, severe injustice, and ultimately, arduous development.
The 'Disgrace of Gijón' and the Upset of 1982
In the history of the competition, Algeria's 1982 World Cup debut in Spain stands out as one of the most memorable. They played West Germany, the current European champions, in their very first World Cup encounter.
The Fennecs scored goals from Rabah Madjer and Lakhdar Belloumi to win 2-1 in a surprising upset. It was the first World Cup victory by an African country over a European rival.
After losing to Austria 0–2, Algeria defeated Chile 3-2 in their last group match.
Algeria had a point to make in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil following a disastrous 1986 group stage exit and a winless, scoreless 2010 comeback.
The team, led by Vahid Halilhodžić, was combative and lively. Algeria sparked their campaign with a 4-2 victory over South Korea following a close 1-2 loss to Belgium. For the first time, an African side scored four goals in a World Cup match, making this outcome historic.
Islam Slimani's header to secure a 1-1 draw with Russia was sufficient to advance Algeria to the knockout stages for the first time in their history.
In the Round of 16, they encountered Germany, a well-known opponent. After 90 minutes, Algeria forced the match into extra time by holding the eventual world champions to a 0-0 stalemate in a display of incredible tactical discipline and bravery.
The Fennecs were praised all around the world for pushing the eventual champions to the limit, but Germany broke the tie and triumphed 2-1 in the end.
Djamel Belmadi's team began an incredible 35-match undefeated streak, an African record, with the 2019 AFCON triumph. However, this streak ended abruptly and disastrously.
The reigning champions were overwhelming favorites going into the 2021 AFCON, which was held in January 2022. They only scored one goal, lost all of their games, and finished last in a group that included Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, and Ivory Coast.
The devastating inability to qualify for the 2022 World Cup came next. Algeria defeated Cameroon 1-0 on the road in the opening leg of their last playoff match. They let up a goal that resulted in extra time in the return match in Blida. Algeria's goal in the 118th minute appeared to guarantee their qualification, but Cameroon's goal in the 124th minute eliminated Algeria on away goals.
The squad once more lost a game and was eliminated at the group stage of the 2023 AFCON, which was played in 2024. Manager Djamel Belmadi left as a result of this run of setbacks, which was a sharp contrast to their supremacy in 2019.
Algeria is undergoing change after the recent era of extreme unpredictability and the hiring of new management Vladimir Petković.
The squad has earned a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, providing an opportunity for atonement. Rebuilding the confidence of a team that has seen both the height of triumph and the lowest point of failure in a brief time frame is the current task.
According to the Fennecs' history, they are frequently at their most deadly when they are written off.
How Did Algeria Gain Dominance on the Continental Stage?
Since its inception in 1968, Algeria has participated in 20 different Africa Cup of Nations competitions, demonstrating its regular attendance. The team's fame is based on two decisive championship wins, even though they frequently advanced to the latter stages and placed third in 1984 and 1988.
The First Victory: Home Soil in 1990
In 1990, Algeria hosted the AFCON tournament and won their first championship.
The occasion brought the nation together in support of a generation of talented athletes, marking a turning point in its history.
The squad played the competition with deadly efficiency under the leadership of famous striker Rabah Madjer.
The squad played the competition with deadly efficiency under the leadership of famous striker Rabah Madjer.
They had a commanding start to their campaign by defeating Nigeria 5-1.
They went to the final, where they met Nigeria once again at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers. In front of an estimated 105,000 spectators, Algeria won 1-0 and won their first-ever continental championship thanks to a single goal by Chérif Oudjani in the 38th minute.
With four goals, Djamel Menad was the tournament's top scorer, while Rabah Madjer was voted the Best Player, solidifying that team's legacy in Algerian history.
They went to the final, where they met Nigeria once again at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers. In front of an estimated 105,000 spectators, Algeria won 1-0 and won their first-ever continental championship thanks to a single goal by Chérif Oudjani in the 38th minute.
With four goals, Djamel Menad was the tournament's top scorer, while Rabah Madjer was voted the Best Player, solidifying that team's legacy in Algerian history.
The 2019 Renaissance: The Warriors of Belmadi
After the triumph in 1990, the continent experienced drought for over thirty years. Algeria was a dark horse going into the 2019 AFCON in Egypt after many unsuccessful campaigns.
The team underwent a transformation under Djamel Belmadi's leadership. Belmadi developed on them a strong mindset and a strict tactical discipline that many have referred to as "warriors."
The entire competition, the Fennecs were flawless. They defeated eventual finalists Senegal 1-0 and moved from their group without giving up a goal.
They overcame Guinea, Ivory Coast (in a thrilling penalty shootout), and Nigeria in the knockout stages. Nigeria won the semi-final thanks to a spectacular free strike by Riyad Mahrez.
The match versus Senegal was a hard and tight final. Only 79 seconds into the game, Algeria took a 1-0 lead that they would hold for the rest of the contest thanks to a deflected shot from striker Baghdad Bounedjah.
They persevered to win their second championship, winning each of the tournament's seven games. The Player of the Tournament was went to Ismaël Bennacer, a midfielder.
What Characterizes Algeria's Legacy at the World Cup?
The four FIFA World Cup qualifying years for Algeria are 1982, 1986, 2010, and 2014. On the largest stage in the world, their tale is one of first shock, severe injustice, and ultimately, arduous development.
The 'Disgrace of Gijón' and the Upset of 1982
In the history of the competition, Algeria's 1982 World Cup debut in Spain stands out as one of the most memorable. They played West Germany, the current European champions, in their very first World Cup encounter.
The Fennecs scored goals from Rabah Madjer and Lakhdar Belloumi to win 2-1 in a surprising upset. It was the first World Cup victory by an African country over a European rival.
After losing to Austria 0–2, Algeria defeated Chile 3-2 in their last group match.
They made history by being the first African side to win two World Cup games.
However, one of football's most infamous games sealed their doom. The day before the match between Austria and West Germany, Algeria played their last match.
However, one of football's most infamous games sealed their doom. The day before the match between Austria and West Germany, Algeria played their last match.
The two European neighbors were aware that Algeria would be eliminated if West Germany won by one or two goals, guaranteeing both teams advanced.
Within the opening ten minutes, West Germany scored. Both teams played a lethargic, non-competitive kickabout for the next eighty minutes without really trying to score. The Spanish audience responded to the show with yells of "¡Fuera, fuera!" ("Out, out!").
According to reports, viewers were admonished by German channel analyst Eberhard Stanjek, "What is happening here is disgraceful and has nothing to do with football."
Despite Algeria's official protest, FIFA decided that there had been no violations of the regulations. The incident, which is commonly referred to as the "Disgrace of Gijón," immediately prompted FIFA to amend its rules, requiring the simultaneous play of the last two matches in each group.
Within the opening ten minutes, West Germany scored. Both teams played a lethargic, non-competitive kickabout for the next eighty minutes without really trying to score. The Spanish audience responded to the show with yells of "¡Fuera, fuera!" ("Out, out!").
According to reports, viewers were admonished by German channel analyst Eberhard Stanjek, "What is happening here is disgraceful and has nothing to do with football."
Despite Algeria's official protest, FIFA decided that there had been no violations of the regulations. The incident, which is commonly referred to as the "Disgrace of Gijón," immediately prompted FIFA to amend its rules, requiring the simultaneous play of the last two matches in each group.
The 2014 Breakthrough and the Prolonged Wait
Algeria had a point to make in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil following a disastrous 1986 group stage exit and a winless, scoreless 2010 comeback.
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| Logo World Cup in Brazil 2014 |
The team, led by Vahid Halilhodžić, was combative and lively. Algeria sparked their campaign with a 4-2 victory over South Korea following a close 1-2 loss to Belgium. For the first time, an African side scored four goals in a World Cup match, making this outcome historic.
Islam Slimani's header to secure a 1-1 draw with Russia was sufficient to advance Algeria to the knockout stages for the first time in their history.
In the Round of 16, they encountered Germany, a well-known opponent. After 90 minutes, Algeria forced the match into extra time by holding the eventual world champions to a 0-0 stalemate in a display of incredible tactical discipline and bravery.
The Fennecs were praised all around the world for pushing the eventual champions to the limit, but Germany broke the tie and triumphed 2-1 in the end.
What Has Caused Such Unpredictability in the Post-2019 Era?
Djamel Belmadi's team began an incredible 35-match undefeated streak, an African record, with the 2019 AFCON triumph. However, this streak ended abruptly and disastrously.
The reigning champions were overwhelming favorites going into the 2021 AFCON, which was held in January 2022. They only scored one goal, lost all of their games, and finished last in a group that included Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea, and Ivory Coast.
The devastating inability to qualify for the 2022 World Cup came next. Algeria defeated Cameroon 1-0 on the road in the opening leg of their last playoff match. They let up a goal that resulted in extra time in the return match in Blida. Algeria's goal in the 118th minute appeared to guarantee their qualification, but Cameroon's goal in the 124th minute eliminated Algeria on away goals.
The squad once more lost a game and was eliminated at the group stage of the 2023 AFCON, which was played in 2024. Manager Djamel Belmadi left as a result of this run of setbacks, which was a sharp contrast to their supremacy in 2019.
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| Djamel Belmadi (Press) |
Who Are the Foundational Figures in This Football History?
Algeria's success abroad is defined by two generations.
The technically talented players on the 1980s–1990 squad went on to become legendary throughout the continent.
The technically talented players on the 1980s–1990 squad went on to become legendary throughout the continent.
The architects of the 1982 World Cup run and the heroes of the 1990 AFCON triumph were Rabah Madjer and Lakhdar Belloumi.
Stars from Europe characterize the 2010s–2020s generation. The 2019 team was captained by triple Premier League champion Riyad Mahrez. Ismaël Bennacer became one of Africa's best midfield players and won MVP in 2019, while Islam Slimani became the country's all-time top scorer.
Stars from Europe characterize the 2010s–2020s generation. The 2019 team was captained by triple Premier League champion Riyad Mahrez. Ismaël Bennacer became one of Africa's best midfield players and won MVP in 2019, while Islam Slimani became the country's all-time top scorer.
What Prospects Do the Fennecs Have?
Algeria is undergoing change after the recent era of extreme unpredictability and the hiring of new management Vladimir Petković.
The squad has earned a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, providing an opportunity for atonement. Rebuilding the confidence of a team that has seen both the height of triumph and the lowest point of failure in a brief time frame is the current task.
According to the Fennecs' history, they are frequently at their most deadly when they are written off.
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