Algeria has won its historic qualification for the 2026 World Cup after twelve years of absence. But that joy could quickly turn into worry. With its 38th place in the FIFA rankings, the Fennecs are heading straight for a particularly perilous draw during the ceremony scheduled for December 5 in Washington DC.
Algeria condemned to hat 3 or 4
Algeria's position in the world ranking leaves no doubt: the Greens will be placed in pot 3, or even 4, during the draw. Of the 48 qualified teams divided into 12 groups of 4, this position mathematically guarantees inheriting at least one formidable seed from hat 1. The first hat promises to be exceptionally dense with Spain, France, Argentina, England, Portugal, Brazil, the Netherlands, Belgium and Croatia, to which are added the three host countries (United States, Canada, Mexico).
But the nightmare doesn't end there. Hat 2 should bring together nations like Germany (currently 12th in the world), Morocco, Senegal, Denmark and Switzerland. Opponents who, in other circumstances, could have claimed the status of favorites. Algeria therefore risks finding itself in a group with a European or South American giant, supplemented by Germany and another leading African selection (unless the nations of the same continent cannot face each other in the first round).
Algeria: The draw promises to be nightmarish
The price of twelve years of absence
This unfavorable situation can be explained by the prolonged absence of the Fennecs since the 2014 World Cup. Unlike nations which have a string of participations and accumulate FIFA points, Algeria has lost ground in the world hierarchy, despite its 2019 continental title. The new 48-team format, supposed to facilitate qualification, paradoxically complicates the draws with 12 groups instead of 8.
Unless there is a spectacular rise in the FIFA rankings in the space of a month (which is highly improbable), a real “group of death” seems inevitable. But this adversity could also represent a formidable motivation for an Algerian generation determined to prove that twelve years of absence have not diminished the ambitions of the Greens.
