Ilan Kebbal backs Algeria to match Morocco’s 2022 World Cup semi-final run

Algeria international Ilan Kebbal has thrown his weight behind the Fennecs to make a meaningful impact at the upcoming 2026 World Cup tournament.

For Kebbal, the gap between Africa and traditional football powerhouses has narrowed significantly, pointing to Morocco’s remarkable run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as proof that history-making performances are no longer out of reach for African teams.

Morocco shocked the football world in Qatar when they became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup, a milestone that Kebbal says has changed the mindset of the entire continent.

In an interview with winwinallsports, Kebbal expressed confidence that Algeria can follow a similar path and potentially write their own chapter of history in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“We know that the World Cup is a very tough competition. Naturally, we hope to go as far as possible,” Kebbal said.

“If Morocco managed to do it, that means other African teams can do it too, such as Senegal or Algeria. Why couldn’t we do it as well? The aim is to return home as late as possible and to stay at the World Cup for as long as possible.”

His comments reflect a growing confidence within African football, where teams are increasingly no longer content with just group-stage participation but are now setting their sights on deeper runs in the competition.

Algeria, who will be competing in Group J at the tournament, face a challenging but intriguing group stage draw alongside reigning champions Argentina national football team, as well as Austria national football team and Jordan national football team.

The presence of Argentina immediately makes the group one of the toughest in the competition, with the South American giants bringing extensive World Cup experience and a winning pedigree. However, Kebbal and his teammates are determined not to be intimidated, instead viewing the challenge as an opportunity to prove their quality on the global stage.

For Algeria, the focus will be on discipline, tactical organisation, and making the most of key moments in matches where margins are expected to be very tight. The team will also be hoping that their blend of experience and emerging talent can help them compete effectively against top-tier opposition.

Kebbal’s belief also highlights the broader transformation within African football, where nations such as Senegal, Morocco, and now Algeria are increasingly developing squads capable of competing at the highest level.

The midfielder’s comments have been widely interpreted as a reflection of renewed optimism within the Algerian camp, where the ambition is not just participation, but progression and impact.

As the World Cup approaches, Algeria’s challenge will be to translate belief into performance on the pitch. But with players like Kebbal expressing strong confidence, expectations are growing that the Fennecs could be one of the African teams capable of producing a surprise run in North America.