The Algerian national soccer team touched down in Lawrence, Kansas, this week as they gear up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, setting up camp in the heart of the Midwest for a series of preparatory activities.
Community training on the Plains
On Thursday evening, the squad will open the doors of KU’s Rock Chalk Park to local fans, hosting a community training session that begins at 6 p.m. The event offers residents a rare chance to see the African champions in action before they head to the tournament.
The roster features several established stars. Captain Riyad Mahrez, now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia with Ah‑Ahli, leads a contingent that also includes left wing‑back Rayan Ait‑Nouri, who earned his first cap for Algeria in 2023, and veteran centre‑back Ramy Bensebaini, a 31‑year‑old who currently wears the Borussia Dortmund shirt.
Striker Mohamed Amine Amoura, 26, has been a regular for Vfl Wolfsburg in Germany, while midfield anchor Nabil Bentaleb, also 31, made a remarkable return to training after a cardiac episode in June 2024 that sidelined him for seven months.
First World Cup Test
Algeria’s opening match of the tournament is scheduled for June 16 against Argentina at Arrowhead Stadium, a venue that will also host the community training session’s counterpart later in the week. The clash marks the first competitive encounter for the Algerian side in the expanded 48‑team format.