2026 World Cup: Determined Algeria set for defining Netherlands clash before global stage

Algeria have arrived in Rotterdam for what could be their most revealing test before the 2026 World Cup, with Vladimir Petkovic’s side preparing to face the Netherlands in the first of two warm-up matches ahead of the tournament in the United States.

The squad departed Algiers after completing the final stages of their preparations at home, including a public training session at the Nelson Mandela Stadium and a final group workout at the National Technical Centre in Sidi Moussa.

The 27 players selected by Petkovic boarded a special Air Algérie charter flight on Monday afternoon and travelled to the Netherlands, where they will take on Ronald Koeman’s side at De Kuip Stadium.

The fixture is expected to provide a significant measure of Algeria’s readiness just two weeks before their opening World Cup match against Argentina in Kansas City.

Facing a team ranked seventh in the world is likely to offer one of the strongest indications yet of the national team’s current level as preparations enter their final phase.

As is customary before the match, Algeria’s players are scheduled to train on the De Kuip pitch ahead of the encounter.

The game may officially be labelled a friendly, but the level of competition is expected to resemble something far more demanding.

Attention has already turned to the starting line-up Petkovic could select.

The Algeria coach is widely expected to field a team closely resembling the one he intends to use against Argentina later this month.

However, two absences appear set to influence his plans.

Goalkeeper Luca Zidane is expected to be rested despite travelling with the squad.

Although the goalkeeper has returned to partial training and has been seen wearing a protective mask following surgery, he has not yet fully recovered.

As a result, the coaching staff are unlikely to take any unnecessary risks with his fitness.

Midfielder Hichem Boudaoui is also expected to miss the match.

Having recently featured in the first leg of the Ligue 1/2 promotion-relegation play-off against AS Saint-Étienne, the midfielder is still recovering physically and has not yet been deemed fully fit by the club’s medical staff.

Those absences could create opportunities for other members of the squad.

Oussama Benbot may be handed the chance to start in goal and stake a stronger claim for a more prominent role within the national team setup.

There is also the possibility that Melvin Mastil could be given valuable minutes against elite opposition.

Beyond personnel decisions, the biggest question concerns Petkovic’s overall approach.

The Algeria manager must decide whether to use the match primarily as a final tactical rehearsal ahead of the World Cup or to rotate extensively and offer playing time to a broader group of players.

With the tournament fast approaching, balancing preparation with squad management remains a key consideration.

What is already clear is that Algeria’s stay in the Netherlands will be brief.

Once the match is completed, the team is expected to return immediately to Algiers and resume preparations at Sidi Moussa before departing for the United States the following day to begin the next stage of their World Cup campaign.

Petkovic’s squad enters the tournament with ambition and a blend of experience and emerging talent.

Among the 27 selected players, only three members of the group have previously played at a World Cup.

Captain Riyad Mahrez, midfielder Nabil Bentaleb and defender Aïssa Mandi all featured during Algeria’s memorable 2014 campaign in Brazil and remain important figures within the current squad.

Their experience is expected to play a valuable role as Algeria prepares for the first 48-team World Cup.

The three players arrived at the global stage in different circumstances twelve years ago.

Mahrez, who would later establish himself as one of the world’s leading players, started only once during that tournament.

He played the opening match against Belgium before losing his place in the starting line-up and spending the remainder of the competition on the bench.

Bentaleb enjoyed a more prominent role, featuring in all three group-stage matches and playing every minute during the first round.

Mandi’s involvement increased as the tournament progressed after missing Algeria’s opening fixture before becoming a regular presence in the side.

Among the trio, Mandi occupies a particularly unique place in Algeria’s World Cup history.

He was the only one of the three to feature in the round-of-16 encounter against eventual champions Germany, playing at right-back in one of the most memorable matches in the country’s football history.

Now approaching what could be their second and final World Cup appearance together, Mahrez, Bentaleb and Mandi once again find themselves at the centre of Algeria’s ambitions.

As the countdown to the tournament continues, the meeting with the Netherlands offers Algeria an opportunity to measure themselves against one of Europe’s strongest teams and refine the final details before the challenge of facing Argentina on the biggest stage in world football.