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Algeria
CAF · J2 · Pot 2
Dangerous dark horseGroup J fixtures
Key players to watch
Riyad Mahrez
W · Al-Ahli · C
Captain and creative soul at what he's called his last World Cup; the ex-Manchester City man still bends games to his will from the right.
Captain · creator
Mohamed Amoura
FW · Wolfsburg
The in-form striker and main goal threat; led African scorers in qualifying with 10 and arrives full of confidence.
Lead striker
Amine Gouiri
FW · Marseille
Mobile, technical forward who complements Amoura and adds another finishing option.
Forward threat
Rayan Aït-Nouri
LB · Manchester City
Attacking full-back/wing-back with the quality to provide width and overlap down the left.
Attacking full-back
Aïssa Mandi
CB · Lille
Vastly experienced centre-back and the nation's all-time caps record holder; organises the defence.
Defensive leader
Ibrahim Maza
MF · Bayer Leverkusen
Bright young midfielder, tipped as a future star, who brings energy and creativity to the engine room.
Emerging midfielder
Goals & output
Mahrez creates and Amoura finishes — a potent combination — with Gouiri and Anis Hadj Moussa adding threat. A genuinely dangerous attack capable of hurting anyone on its day.
Set-piece duties
Penalties
Riyad Mahrez
Free kicks
Riyad Mahrez
Corners
Riyad Mahrez
Mahrez is the primary taker on penalties, free kicks and corners — one of the best dead-ball deliverers in the group and a constant set-piece threat.
Discipline read
▲Around average; a talented, technical side rather than a cynical one, though they'll mix it when needed.
Recent form
Back at the World Cup after a 12-year absence (last there in 2014, when they reached the last 16 and pushed eventual winners Germany). African champions in 2019, they topped their CAF qualifying group with just one defeat. Vladimir Petković blends experienced leaders with exciting youth — and Zinedine Zidane's son, Luca, is among the goalkeepers.
Head-to-head history
v Argentina (17 Jun)
Negligible history
Little prior record; a tough opener against the world champions in Kansas City.
v Jordan (23 Jun)
No prior meetings
A first meeting; likely a pivotal game for both in the race for the runner-up and best-third places in Santa Clara.
v Austria (28 Jun)
Negligible history
Scarce record; a potentially decisive final-day shootout in Kansas City.
Underdog & betting read
The verdict
A dangerous dark horse: Mahrez and Amoura give them a real shot at second place or a best-third spot. The doubt is defensive consistency against the better sides. Genuine each-way value to qualify.