Feature
Algeria arrive as one of the tournament's true riddles: dripping with technical class, yet still carrying questions about their nerve when the heat is on. Qualifying was a stroll, but the opposition rarely tested them, and the memory of that Afcon quarter-final unravelling against Nigeria still lingers. Vladimir Petkovic's side could light up the World Cup at their best — the only question is whether their best shows up when it really counts.
Algeria have squeezed through as one of the best third-placed sides. Not the comfortable route — but a place in the last 32 is a place in the last 32, and the knockouts don't care how you got there.
Riyad Mahrez
The creative heartbeat whose magic could decide whether Algeria's promise turns into something real.
Vladimir Petkovic
The coach tasked with proving Algeria's talent can hold its nerve on the biggest stage.
Age profile
Club homes
Lille2
Al-Ahli JeddahDefenders
Al-Duhail SC1
Al-Ittihad FC1
ASO Chlef1
Bayer Leverkusen1+19 more clubs
25 Other · 1 Eredivisie
Experience
The most-capped head in the squad — USM Alger.
Not on the scoresheet yet.
