Lakhdar Belloumi calls for Algeria’s revenge against Austria

Algerian legend Lakhdar Belloumi is hungry for revenge against Austria as the 2026 World Cup approaches.

Next week, the World Cup kicks off from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with Algeria making its official return 12 years after its fourth participation in 2014.

Situated in Group J, the Fennecs face Argentina on June 16-17 in Kansas City, Jordan on June 23 in Santa Clara, and will conclude their first round against Austria on June 28 in Kansas City.

Forty-four years after what Algeria remembers as “the match of shame,” Belloumi still hasn’t forgiven what he considers a fatal conspiracy as Algeria failed despite spectacular starts at their first World Cup in 1982. After scoring against Germany for a 2-1 victory and contributing to Chile’s 3-2 win following a 0-2 loss to Austria, Algeria needed Germany to win Austria’s match by more than two goals. Instead, Germany managed only a sleepy 1-0 victory, condemning Algeria to elimination.

In an El Heddaf interview, the 1981 African Ballon d’Or winner demanded vengeance: “I advise them to take revenge against Austria. They’re responsible for us not qualifying for the second round of the 1982 World Cup. They conspired with Germany. We must approach this match with a revenge mindset and win it, inchallah”.