Algeria national football team: squad, coach, world rankings, AFCON, trophies

Algeria national football team: squad, coach, world rankings, AFCON, trophies

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:54 PM

Algeria's national football team is an international football club that represents the Republic of Algeria in men's soccer. While football has been in existence in the country since the 1830s, it was first represented by Tunisia. However, after attaining independence from France, Algeria officially debuted in the soccer scene in 1962.

Algeria national football team
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Does Algeria's national football team have a nickname? Like other football clubs, it has a nickname. The players are often dubbed The Greens, The Fennec Foxes, and The Desert Warriors. Have you been wondering who Algeria's coach is? Have a look at this article and find more information regarding The Desert Warriors.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Algeria National Football Team
  • Nickname: The Greens, The Fennec Foxes, and The Desert Warriors
  • Managed by: Algerian Football Federation
  • Founded: 1962
  • Colours: Green and white
  • Federation: CAF
  • Head coach: Djamel Belmadi
  • Captain: Riyad Karim Mahrez
  • Most caps: Lakhdar Belloumi (100)
  • Top scorer: Islam Slimani (39)
  • FIFA ranking: 29 (as of December 2021)
  • Stadium: Mustapha Tchaker Stadium and Stade du 5 Juillet
  • FIFA code: ALG

Soccer is the national sport in Algeria. It is one of the most prominent countries in Africa that has won several championships and Olympic medals. It is the most popular sport in the country to the point that it is termed a national sport. Aside from soccer, there are other popular games such as martial arts, basketball, boxing, and athletics.

Algeria national football team squad
Riyad Mahrez and defender Aissa Mandi react after Ivory Coast won the Group E Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match against Ivory Coast in Douala. Photo: Charly Triballeau
Source: Getty Images

Who is the Algeria national football team coach?

For the success and prosperity of any given team, a coach is mandatory for further guidance and general leadership. Below is a short profile of the team's coach.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Djamel Belmadi
  • Date of birth: 25 March 1976
  • Age: 45 years old (as of January 2022)
  • Place of birth: Champigny-sur-Marne, France
  • Nationality: French
  • Height in feet: 5'9"
  • Height in centimetres: 175
  • Current team: The Desert Warriors

Aside from the coach, another critical team member is the captain, who is usually older or more skilled than the other players. Have a look at his profile.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Riyad Karim Mahrez
  • Date of birth: 21 February 1991
  • Age: 30 years old (as of January 2022)
  • Place of birth: Sarcelles, France
  • Nationality: French
  • Height in feet: 5'10"
  • Height in centimetres: 179
  • Current team: Manchester City and Algeria National Football team
  • Position: Winger
  • Number: 26

Did Algeria's national football team squad make it to AFCON 2022?

The Dessert warriors are renowned for holding two Africa Cup Of Nations championships, in 1990 and recently in 2019. Their consistency and optimism immensely impacted the other matches and competitions they participated in.

Having won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations competitions, they automatically qualified for the 2021/22 AFCON competitions currently hosted in Cameroon as of 25 January 2022. As a result, Algeria has played in Group E:

Group E

  • 11 January: Algeria vs Sierra Leone
  • 15 January: Algeria vs Equatorial Guinea
  • 19 January: Ivory Coast vs Algeria

What are Algeria's AFCON 2022 results?

Here are the team's results from the recent matches they have played. Have a look.

  • 11 January: Algeria (0) vs Sierra Leone
  • 15 January: Algeria (0) vs Equatorial Guinea (1)
  • 19 January: Ivory Coast (3) vs Algeria (1)
Algeria national football team coach
The head coach Djamel Belmadi talks with Riyad Mahrez ahead of the Group E Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match against Ivory Coast in Douala. Photo: Charly Triballeau
Source: Getty Images

Who are the current Algeria national football team players?

The following players were called up for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations. Have a look.

Goalkeepers

  • Moustapha Zeghba (Damac)
  • Alexandre Oukidja (Metz)
  • Raïs M'Bolhi (Saudi Arabia Al-Ettifaq)

Defenders

  • Aïssa Mandi (Villarreal)
  • Mehdi Tahrat (Al-Gharafa)
  • Djamel Benlamri (Qatar SC)
  • Mohamed Amine Tougai (ES Tunis)
  • Abdelkader Bedrane (ES Tunis)
  • Youcef Atal (Nice)
  • Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
  • Ilyes Chetti (ES Tunis)
  • Houcine Benayada (ES Sahel)
  • Réda Halaïmia (Beerschot)

Midfielders

  • Ramiz Zerrouki (Twente)
  • Sofiane Feghouli (Galatasaray)
  • Yacine Brahimi (Al-Rayyan)
  • Haris Belkebla (Brest)
  • Sofiane Bendebka (Al-Fateh)
  • Farid Boulaya (Metz)
  • Adem Zorgane (Charleroi)
  • Ismaël Bennacer (Milan)

Forwards

  • Riyad Mahrez (captain) (Manchester City)
  • Youcef Belaïli
  • Baghdad Bounedjah (Al Sadd)
  • Islam Slimani (Lyon)
  • Adam Ounas (Napoli)
  • Mohamed El Amine Amoura (Lugano)
  • Saïd Benrahma (West Ham United)
Algeria national football team rankings
Riyad Mahrez and his teammates warm up ahead of the Group E Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match against Ivory Coast in Douala. Photo: Charly Triballeau
Source: Getty Images

Algeria's national football team FIFA rankings

What is Algeria's national football team world ranking? According to the latest FIFA ranking, The Greens sit at position 29 with 1516.51 points, just after Morocco, which has 1529.93 points. The team's highest FIFA ranking was position 15 in 2014, while its lowest was position 103 in 2008.

Algeria national football team trophies

Has the team ever won any trophies? Yes, it has. In fact, the team's fame skyrocketed following its championship in various matches that they participated in. Here is the list of trophies The Greens have won:

  • Mediterranean Games champions (1975)
  • Afro-Asian Cup of Nations champions (1991)
  • Africa Cup of Nations champions (1990 and 2019)
  • FIFA Arab Cup champions (2019)
  • African National Team of the Year champions (1980, 1981, 1982, 1990 (shared), 1991, 2009, 2014, 2019)

Participating in the World Cup is a dream of any Algeria national football team player and fan. However, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. With how the team's consistency is displayed, perhaps the country is a few steps away from reaching its goal. World Cup awaits!

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.