Algeria head coach Madjid Bougherra vows relentless pursuit of FIFA Arab Cup title defense

Algeria head coach Madjid Bougherra has affirmed his team’s determination to defend their title at the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup, following the official draw for the tournament, which will be held in Qatar from 1 to 18 December.

The reigning champions were drawn into Group D alongside Iraq and two teams emerging from the qualifying rounds — Bahrain or Djibouti, and Lebanon or Sudan.

Reacting to the group allocation, Bougherra acknowledged the competitiveness of their opponents and the challenges that lie ahead.

Speaking to Football Algeria DZ, he said, “You saw the draw. I think that the Iraqi team, which qualified directly for this tournament, is not at all easy to play against. We are the defending champion, our opponents will try to outdo themselves against us…”

The former national team defender, who guided Algeria to victory in the 2021 edition of the Arab Cup with a 2-0 win over Tunisia in extra time, underlined the importance of thorough preparation ahead of the December tournament. He confirmed that full-scale preparations would begin in September.

“So, we’re taking our time, in September, we’re starting to prepare well for this competition. We’re also finding the right balance and the right team to tackle this competition,” Bougherra explained.

He emphasized that while tactical readiness is vital, psychological strength will also play a decisive role in their title defense.

“We will do everything to defend our title. In the end, it is psychological work that we, the staff and the players, must do to have this desire and this hunger to win titles,” he stressed.

Bougherra’s words reflect a clear intent to maintain Algeria’s supremacy in the regional competition, even as the team undergoes adjustments and continues to build cohesion.

His belief in the squad’s potential remains unwavering, particularly as they face opponents with the added motivation of challenging the reigning champions.

As Algeria begins charting its course toward another potential triumph, the pressure of being defending champions will be ever-present — but so will be the ambition to retain the crown that Bougherra and his team worked so hard to secure in 2021.

The 2025 FIFA Arab Cup promises to be a fiercely contested tournament, with Algeria once again at the heart of the story.