Algeria qualifies for FIFA World Cup 2026

Algeria has secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the fourth African country to qualify, and all four are from North Africa.

A commanding 3-0 victory over Somalia on Thursday at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium ensured Algeria finished first in Group G and marked their return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014.

Mohamed Amoura scored twice for the Desert Foxes, while Riyad Mahrez added a goal to complete a comprehensive win. The result gives Algeria 22 points from nine matches in qualifying, with seven wins, one draw, and one loss.

This will be Algeria’s fifth World Cup appearance, having previously qualified in 1982, 1986, 2010, and 2014. Their best performance came in 2014, when they advanced past the group stage for the first time before falling to Germany in the round of 16.

Algeria joins Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt as Africa’s first four representatives for the 2026 finals. A total of nine African teams will earn direct qualification and be included in the World Cup tournament draw, scheduled for Dec. 5 in Washington D.C.

The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marking the first time the tournament will be held across three countries.