Algeria confirm Petkovic contract extension ahead of World Cup

Algeria have confirmed that head coach Vladimir Petkovic will extend his contract before the 2026 World Cup, with the federation opting for continuity regardless of results at the tournament.

The announcement was made by Walid Sadi during the Algerian Football Federation’s general assembly, where he underlined that the decision had already been agreed in principle.

Petkovic, Vladimir Petkovic, is set to remain in charge beyond the World Cup, ensuring stability within the national setup as preparations continue for the global competition.

“Petkovic has given us his agreement to extend his contract,” Walid Sadi confirmed, adding that a draft agreement has already been sent to the coach’s legal representatives.

He further indicated that discussions between both parties had been ongoing for several months and had reached an advanced stage.

“We have agreed on almost all the essential points of the contract, and the signing should take place in the coming weeks,” he added.

The decision means Algeria will head into the World Cup with clarity over their technical direction, with no planned changes to the coaching staff regardless of performance in the tournament.

While some had suggested waiting until after the competition to assess results, the federation has chosen to prioritise long-term planning.

Under Petkovic’s leadership, Algeria have met key objectives set out in his contract, including qualification for both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 World Cup.

The team also reached the quarter-finals of the AFCON tournament, reinforcing confidence in the current project.

The federation sees Petkovic as a central figure in maintaining progress following the previous era, and his continued presence is viewed as essential to building consistency within the squad.

Looking ahead, preparations for the World Cup remain a priority. Sadi confirmed that Algeria are organising final friendly matches before the tournament, including one scheduled to take place in Kansas City.

“For the second friendly, which will be played in Kansas City, the national team will face a team from the Americas that did not qualify for the World Cup,” he said, without revealing the opponent’s identity.

The upcoming fixtures are expected to play a key role in fine-tuning the squad ahead of the competition, which the federation considers of major importance.

With the contract extension nearing completion, Algeria will approach the World Cup with a clear strategy and continued trust in their current leadership.