World Cup 2026: Islam Slimani launches fierce criticism of Algeria’s lack of identity under Petkovic

Algeria’s all-time leading goalscorer, Islam Slimani, delivered a brutally honest assessment of the Desert Foxes following their 2-0 Round of 32 defeat to Switzerland, arguing that the team’s problems run far deeper than a single World Cup elimination.

Speaking as a beIN Sports analyst, the former Leicester City striker questioned the tactical consistency of Vladimir Petkovic’s side and insisted Algeria still lack a clear footballing identity nearly two years into the Bosnian coach’s tenure.

“The problem plaguing the national team has existed for almost two years,” Slimani said.

Constant changes preventing stability

According to Slimani, the continuous alterations to formations and personnel have stopped the team from developing cohesion.

“The lineup changes every match. Today, the coach reverted to the same system he used against Nigeria, and the result was the same,” he lamented.

The former striker argued that the debate between using a traditional striker and a false nine misses the real issue.

“The problem is not playing with a centre-forward or a false nine, but the lack of a clear identity. For almost two years, we have seen the team alternate between the two systems without any real continuity.”

Against Switzerland, Petkovic opted for a fluid attacking setup featuring Ibrahim Maza, Riyad Mahrez and Houssem Aouar rotating positions without a recognised number nine. While the approach initially unsettled Murat Yakin’s side, Algeria ultimately failed to convert their possession into meaningful chances.

Questions over preparation

Slimani also cast doubt on whether the squad had adequately prepared to execute such a demanding tactical system.

“Did the players actually train to play with a false nine? Because this system requires automatic reflexes, collective movement, and very specific mechanisms. If the team hasn’t worked on it, then that’s a real problem.”

His remarks echoed broader criticism that Algeria’s attacking play often relies more on individual inspiration than coordinated movement. Throughout the tournament, moments of brilliance from Ibrahim Maza, Riyad Mahrez and Rayan Aït-Nouri frequently compensated for structural shortcomings.

Too dependent on individual quality

Slimani argued that Algeria’s best moments stem from exceptional individuals rather than a clearly identifiable collective style.

“Very often, the only solution is to give the ball to Ait-Nouri so that he can find a way through thanks to his talent, or wait for a moment of brilliance from Mahrez or Maza. But where is the identity of this team? Where are the tactical sequences? Where is the style of play?”

The criticism comes despite Algeria reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup for only the second time in their history. Petkovic’s men recovered from an opening defeat to Argentina by beating Jordan and drawing 3-3 with Austria to secure passage to the Round of 32.

“I haven’t seen any real identity”

Slimani reserved his strongest comments for the conclusion of his analysis, insisting that results alone cannot mask deeper issues.

“For two years now, I haven’t seen any real identity in this team. Even if we lose, it’s not a problem if it’s with a clear playing style and a strong personality. Today, the majority of our chances and goals come more from individual brilliance than from genuine teamwork.”

Petkovic, for his part, has defended his record after the Swiss defeat, urging Algerians to “see the glass half full” and describing the run to the Round of 32 as a historic achievement after a 12-year absence from the tournament. He also accepted full responsibility for his tactical decisions and promised to build on both the positives and the shortcomings exposed during the competition.