Algeria will resume their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign on September 5 with a home fixture against Botswana, to be held at the Hocine-Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi-Ouzou.
The match, scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. kickoff, will mark the start of a crucial double-header for the Desert Foxes as they aim to secure their spot in the next round of qualification.
The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has confirmed the date and venue for the match, which forms part of the seventh matchday in Group G of the African qualifiers.
his encounter against Botswana will be Algeria’s first official fixture at the recently inaugurated Tizi-Ouzou stadium, a venue that has quickly grown in prominence since opening.
AfricaFootUnited reports that the FAF chose the location to take advantage of the modern infrastructure and passionate local support in Kabylia.
The Hocine-Aït Ahmed Stadium, named after a key figure in Algeria’s independence movement, is expected to draw a strong home crowd as the national team continues its quest for World Cup qualification.
Algeria currently sits among the frontrunners in the group, having shown solid form in the earlier rounds of qualifying.
With only four matchdays remaining in this phase, the stakes are high for Djamel Belmadi’s side, who are looking to return to the World Cup after missing out on Qatar 2022.
Botswana, while considered underdogs, have proven to be resilient opponents. The Zebras are known for their defensive organization and will be looking to frustrate the Algerians and earn a positive result on the road.
The Desert Foxes will be expected to field a strong lineup, with key players from Europe likely to be called upon to secure a win.
Fans will be anticipating the performances of attacking stars such as Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani, alongside a new generation of Algerian talent looking to leave their mark.
Following the Botswana fixture, Algeria will face another key test away to Guinea. While the date and venue for that clash have not yet been finalized by the Guinean Football Federation, it is expected to be played in Côte d’Ivoire, where Guinea has been staging home matches due to stadium constraints.
The back-to-back encounters could prove decisive in determining Algeria’s fate in the qualification group. A win against Botswana would set the stage for a potentially pivotal result against Guinea, one of their main rivals for the top spot.
As anticipation builds for September’s international break, all eyes will be on Tizi-Ouzou, where Algeria will aim to take a decisive step closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Hocine-Aït Ahmed Stadium will provide the backdrop for what promises to be an intense and high-stakes encounter, as the Desert Foxes seek to make their return to the world’s biggest football stage.
