Dzair Tube: Chaâbane Merzekane Says Algeria Have the Depth and Quality to Reach the World Cup Knockout Stage
BY Dr. Hana Saada
Former Algerian international and 1982 World Cup star Chaâbane Merzekane has expressed strong confidence in the current national team’s ability to produce a major performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that Algeria possess a balanced and technically accomplished squad capable of progressing beyond the group stage.
Speaking to Dzair Tube on the sidelines of a tribute ceremony held at Zioui Stadium in Hussein Dey in honour of renowned youth developer Amar Boudissa, Merzekane reflected on the central role of formation and youth development in shaping both clubs and national teams, while revisiting the historic legacy of NA Hussein Dey as one of Algeria’s greatest football academies.
He stressed that the success of the legendary 1982 generation was deeply rooted in the club’s culture of development, noting that NA Hussein Dey produced nearly 200 players for the Algerian national team despite lacking major financial resources or corporate backing.
According to Merzekane, the club’s gradual abandonment of its developmental philosophy largely explains its sporting decline in recent years. He argued that the future revival of NA Hussein Dey depends on a strategic return to youth formation and long-term sporting investment.
Paying tribute to Amar Boudissa, whom he described as one of the pioneers of Algerian football development, Merzekane recalled that numerous iconic players emerged under his supervision, including Lakhdar Belloumi, Rabah Madjer, Fergani, Iguil and several other major figures of Algerian football history.
Drawing comparisons with contemporary models, Merzekane praised the developmental approach adopted by Paradou AC, highlighting the importance of structured academies and sustainable sporting policies. He revealed that during his coaching spell at Paradou, he encouraged the club to fully commit to youth development, a strategy that later became central to its identity and success.
“Every major club in the world relies on formation,” he stated, pointing to institutions such as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain as examples of clubs that continue to prioritise youth development despite their financial power.
Turning to the 2026 World Cup, Merzekane voiced optimism regarding Algeria’s prospects, insisting that the current squad possesses both technical depth and competitive spirit. He underlined that nearly every position includes multiple quality options and stressed that Algerian players raised abroad continue to display strong national attachment and commitment on the pitch.
He argued that Algeria traditionally perform at their highest level against elite opponents, referencing the historic 1982 victory over West Germany and recalling Algeria’s competitive display against Argentina despite eventual defeat.
“The Algerian team shows its true face against major sides,” he said, adding that the current squad is technically superior to Austria, one of Algeria’s projected group-stage opponents.
While acknowledging the symbolic memory surrounding the controversial 1982 Austria-West Germany match, Merzekane rejected any notion of revenge, insisting that qualification—not historical retribution—must remain the sole objective.
“What matters is winning and progressing,” he declared. “We are stronger than Austria technically, but modern football demands preparation against every opponent, not emotional calculations.”
Reflecting on the atmosphere within the 1982 generation, Merzekane described the profound camaraderie that united players from rival Algerian clubs, recalling the long periods spent together in military service, training camps and national team preparations.
“We lived like one family,” he said, explaining that the collective discipline and continuity of that era contributed significantly to Algeria’s footballing rise during the 1980s.
Addressing long-standing debates surrounding the exclusion of Ali Bencheikh from the 1982 World Cup squad, Merzekane defended late coach Mahieddine Khalef, arguing that all selections were based on tactical considerations rather than injustice.
He maintained that every player chosen for the tournament deserved his place, noting that Algeria’s tactical approach against West Germany required specific profiles and balance within the team structure.
“Bencheikh was an extraordinary player, but so were Fergani, Belloumi, Madjer and Dahleb,” he said. “Khalef made technical choices, and history proved the strength of that collective.”
Merzekane concluded by reaffirming his belief that the current Algerian national team possess the talent, mentality and competitive maturity required to deliver a strong World Cup campaign, provided preparations are approached with discipline, realism and ambition.
— 𝐄𝐍𝐃 —
Dzair Tube Media Group | Record and Standing
Dzair Tube is a leading Algerian digital journalism platform, delivering high-quality content in Arabic, French, and English. With a daily readership exceeding 500,000, it has established itself among the country’s most influential media organizations.
Recognized for editorial excellence and integrity, Dzair Tube was awarded the President of the Republic’s Prize for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on 22 October 2022. The platform operates from state-of-the-art studios, producing diverse programming across news, sports, culture, entertainment, and religion.
Dzair Tube maintains a robust digital presence, with over 600,000 YouTube subscribers, six million followers across Facebook pages, and more than 70,000 Instagram followers. Its sports daily, Dzair Sport, enjoys over 50,000 daily downloads via its official website, cementing its leadership in multimedia journalism.
Further recognized with the Media Leadership Award by former Minister of Communication Mohamed Laâgab and celebrated at the Hilals of Television awards, Dzair Tube continues to set benchmarks in innovation, influence, and public engagement, serving as a key forum for civic discourse, critical analysis, and public affairs.
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