World Cup 2026: Tebboune Receives Algeria Squad Ahead of U.S. Departure as Sadi, Mahrez and Players Hail Presidential Support and Pledge Strong Global Campaign
— Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS — President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Sunday received Algeria’s national football team at the Presidency headquarters in Algiers, in a high-profile gesture of support ahead of the country’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with players, officials and coaching staff describing the meeting as a major source of motivation before their departure for the United States.
The reception, held just hours before the national delegation’s departure to Kansas City, brought together the President of the Republic, Sports Minister and Algerian Football Federation (FAF) President Walid Sadi, senior presidential officials, members of the national team and technical staff led by head coach Vladimir Petkovic.
According to the Presidency, the meeting forms part of the state’s continued support for national sport and comes as Algeria prepares to make its return to football’s premier global tournament after missing the 2018 and 2022 editions.
The ceremony was attended by Presidential Chief of Cabinet Boualem Boualem and Sports Minister Walid Sadi, who accompanied the delegation during the official reception.
The meeting carried strong symbolic significance, reflecting the importance attached by the Algerian authorities to the national team’s participation in a tournament that will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico between 11 June and 19 July.
The reception came at a decisive moment in Algeria’s preparations. Only a few hours later, the Greens departed aboard a special flight from Houari Boumediene International Airport to Kansas City, where they will establish their operational base for the World Cup campaign.
Earlier in the day, the national team completed its final training session on Algerian soil at the National Technical Centre in Sidi Moussa. The session took place in a focused and composed atmosphere as players concluded the domestic phase of their preparations before travelling to North America.
The squad enters the tournament with growing confidence following a notable 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in Rotterdam. The result prompted head coach Vladimir Petkovic to grant his players a short recovery period before resuming preparations for the final stages of the World Cup build-up.
Upon arrival in the United States, Algeria will set up its headquarters in the Kansas City area before facing Bolivia in a final international friendly on 10 June. The match is expected to serve as Petkovic’s last opportunity to evaluate tactical options and squad combinations before the competitive campaign begins.
Algeria’s World Cup journey will officially commence on 17 June with a highly anticipated clash against defending world champions Argentina. The Greens will then face Jordan in an Arab derby on 23 June before concluding their Group J campaign against Austria on 28 June.
Speaking after the reception, Sports Minister and FAF President Walid Sadi praised the President’s gesture, describing it as further evidence of the support consistently extended by the highest authorities of the state to Algerian football.
“We thank the President of the Republic for this distinguished reception and for the support he has always provided,” Sadi said.
He stressed that the meeting would provide a significant psychological boost to the players and technical staff as they prepare for one of the most important tournaments in the country’s sporting history.
“This reception represents major support for our national team and for Algerian football. It provides additional motivation on the eve of our departure to the United States,” he stated.
Sadi further underlined that the team’s objective remains to honour the national colours and achieve a performance capable of matching the aspirations of Algerian supporters.
“Our ambition is always to surpass previous participations,” he added, expressing hope that Algeria would produce its most successful World Cup campaign to date.
National team captain Riyad Mahrez echoed those sentiments, describing the meeting with President Tebboune as a special moment for the players.
“We are delighted to meet the President of the Republic before travelling to the United States,” Mahrez said.
The captain stressed the squad’s determination to rise to the occasion and compete at the highest possible level.
“God willing, we will travel with the ambition of achieving important things and delivering a distinguished World Cup campaign,” he added.
Defender Aïssa Mandi also welcomed the reception, describing it as both an honour and a source of pride for every member of the national team.
“It is a great honour and a great pleasure to be here and to be received by the President of the Republic. Such meetings are always a source of pride for us,” Mandi said.
The experienced defender highlighted the team’s mindset heading into the tournament, emphasising a balance between humility and ambition.
“We will approach the World Cup with humility but also with significant ambition. Our primary objective is to represent the shirt we wear in the best possible manner and to honour Algeria,” he stated.
Goalkeeper Luca Zidane likewise expressed gratitude for the reception, describing it as a valuable morale booster ahead of the competition.
“We thank the President for this reception. It is a pleasure for us to be here. We will now continue our preparations for the World Cup finals,” Zidane said.
Defender Achraf Abada also underlined the symbolic importance of the meeting, saying the players viewed it as a strong message of confidence and support from the nation’s leadership.
“We thank the President of the Republic for this reception before our departure to the United States. We will give everything we have to honour the national jersey and achieve a respectable World Cup campaign,” Abada stated.
The reception concluded with a symbolic gesture from the Algerian Football Federation. On behalf of the national team, Walid Sadi presented President Tebboune with an Algeria national team jersey bearing the President’s name and signed by all members of the squad.
Players subsequently posed for commemorative photographs with the President, in a moment that reflected both the institutional backing enjoyed by the team and the broader national expectations surrounding Algeria’s participation in the tournament.
The ceremony ultimately underscored the strategic importance attached to Algeria’s World Cup return. Beyond its sporting dimension, the reception highlighted the convergence of state support, public expectation and player ambition as the Greens prepare to represent Algeria on football’s biggest international stage.
With a strengthened squad, renewed confidence under Vladimir Petkovic and the backing of the country’s highest authorities, Algeria now turns its attention to Kansas City and the challenge of translating national hopes into a competitive performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
— 𝐄𝐍𝐃 —
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