World Cup 2026: Algeria determined to make history against Switzerland

After advancing from the group stage with a generally positive performance—despite a 0-3 loss to Argentina in their opening match—the "Desert Foxes" are now carrying high expectations from their fans. Coached by Vladimir Petkovic, the team is looking to write a new chapter for Algerian football, surpassing their achievement of reaching the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup under Vahid Halilhodzic, where they lost 1-2 to eventual champions Germany after extra time.

Algeria's morale received a significant boost following a dramatic 3-3 draw against Austria in their final group-stage match, a game where the North African side nearly snatched victory in stoppage time. Captain Riyad Mahrez, who has scored two goals in the tournament, is once again expected to lead the attack.

However, Switzerland is considered a tough opponent. The European team is unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions, with convincing wins over Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-1) and Canada, as well as a 1-1 draw with Qatar in the group stage.

After the match against Austria, Coach Petkovic acknowledged that Switzerland is one of the most consistent teams in major tournaments in recent years. He stated that he knows the opponent very well, having previously coached the Swiss national team from 2014 to 2021, and affirmed that the coaching staff will thoroughly analyze Switzerland's playing style before devising appropriate tactical plans.

To secure a spot in the next round, Algeria is expected to leverage the strengths they demonstrated in the group stage, including their organizational play, aggressive spirit, composure in difficult moments, and finishing efficiency.

Nevertheless, defense remains a concern for the North African team. Algeria has conceded seven goals in three matches, an average of 2.3 per game, placing them among the teams with the worst defenses in the tournament. The coaching staff has intensified video analysis sessions over the past few days to address defensive shortcomings.

Regarding the squad, Coach Petkovic is likely to stick with the lineup that performed impressively against Austria.