Coach: Rabah Saadane
World Ranking: 31
Key Player: Madjid Bougherra
World Cup Record: Two World Cup appearances
Group C Schedule
13 June – Algeria v Slovenia
18 June – England v Algeria
23 June – USA v Algeria
Algeria have exceeded expectations by reaching the World Cup finals for the first time since the 1986 tournament in Mexico. They also eliminated African champions Egypt during the qualifiers.
It means Algeria will either be happy to rest on their laurels or they will try to build on their unexpected success by plotting to score some big upsets.
The side are heavily dependent on French-born players, while locally-based players are controversially overlooked. The policy of tapping into Algerian talent across Europe has been actively pursued by the country's football federation but it causes resentment at the lack of opportunity available for Algerian-born players.
In defence, Madjid Bougherra is key to holding the line and keeping the discipline, plus he adds an attacking option going forward for set pieces.
Karim Ziani is a tricky player with the potential to destroy defenders on the right-hand side and Nadir Belhadj adds a similar option down the left.
In their recent friendly against the Republic of Ireland at the RDS, the Algerians played like a team well short of confidence and their brittleness in defence was quite pronounced.
Saadane complimented the Irish performance and stated that Trapattoni's side should be in South Afica, and warned that his outfit face humiliation if they do not 'pull up their socks' for their impending three matches at the finals. The schoolmaster is certainly not pleased!
Goalkeepers: Lounes Gaouaoui, Faouzi Chaouchi, Raid Ouheb M'bolhi
Defenders: Abdelakder Laifaoui, Madjid Bougherra, Carl Medjani Ajaccio, Rafik Halliche, Antar Yahia, Habib Belaid, Nadir Belhadj, Djamel Mesbah
Midfielders: Hassan Yebda, Medhi Lacen Racing Santander,
Yazid Mansouri Lorient, Adlene Guidoura, Riad Boudebouz, Djamel Abdoun, Foued Kadir, Karim Ziani, Karim Matmour,
Forwards: Abdelkader Ghezzal, Rafik Djebbour, Rafik Saifi
