Dignitaries from all over the world will gather in Brazil in early December for the FIFA World Cup draw as the field of teams is divided into groups for next summer’s festivities. As part of its “32 teams in 32 days” series, SPORTSNET.CA will profile each of the nations set to compete at Brazil, leading up to the draw on Dec. 6.
Give credit to Algeria for qualifying for the World Cup. Although they qualified for the 2010 tournament in South Africa, Les Fennecs (the Desert foxes) failed to qualify for the 2012 African Cup of Nations and appeared to be in a free fall after they finished last place in their group at this year’s continental competition. But manager Vahid Halilhodzic has since steadied the ship, guiding Algeria through a successful African qualifying campaign in leading the country to its fourth overall World Cup appearance. Just don’t expect much from them next summer. Four years ago in South Africa, the Foxes bowed out in the group stage, and it will take an over-achieving effort from them not to suffer the same fate in Brazil.
Programming alert: Watch the World Cup draw from Brazil on Dec. 6 live on all four main Sportsnet channels. Coverage begins at 10:30 am ET/7:30 am PT | TV schedule
How they got here: Algeria cruised through the group stage of the African qualifiers, winning Group H by an impressive seven points over Mali on the strength of five wins (and only one loss) in six games. They had a harder time of it in the playoffs, but won the first leg 3-2 against Burkino Faso on the road, setting themselves up to clinch a World Cup berth in the home return leg. Along the way, Algeria conceded just six goals in eight matches.
Key match: Algeria became the last African nation to clinch World Cup qualification earlier this month when it defeated Burkino Faso 1-0 in the second leg of their home-and-home playoff. But it was a 3-2 road win in the opening match on Oct. 15 that was the crucial result for Algeria—the two road goals gave them a decided advantage for the return leg at home, and left it all for Burkino Faso to do.
Star player: Islam Slimani finished tied for second place in goal scoring in the African qualifiers with five goals. He’s been a regular scorer for Algeria since making his national team debut in 2012, and has established himself as a bright, young star to watch in the Portuguese top flight with Sporting Lisbon.
Player on the bubble: A former French youth international, midfielder Ryad Boudebouz switched allegiances to Algeria (his parents’ birth nation) and played for the African nation at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. But he fell out of favour with Halilhodzic when the Bosnian took over as manager, with his last appearance for Algeria coming at the African Cup of Nations at the start of 2013. If the 23-year-old is to regain a spot on the roster, he’ll need to have a strong campaign for French side Bastia.
Team strengths: Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic has done an exemplary job since taking over the managerial reins in 2011. Halilhodzic has put together a well-organized and compact side that is tough for opponents to break down. He also wasn’t afraid to make changes, showing several veterans the door and giving opportunities to young prospects such as Sofiane Feghouli, Ishak Belfodil and Saphir Taider. Under Halilhodzic, Algeria is a well-disciplined team playing with supreme confidence.
Team weaknesses: Algeria was not really tested in the African qualifiers, save for the two-game playoff against Burkino Faso. They’ll find the going much tougher at the World Cup in Brazil where the calibre of opponents will be considerably higher. It’s hard to see the Algerians being able to compete, as they lack genuine quality and depth compared to other nations. This is also a team of few game-breakers—players who can change the face of a game in an instant with a sudden act of individual brilliance.
World Cup record:
1930 to 1962—Did not enter
1966—Withdrew
1970 to 1978—Did not qualify
1982—First round
1986—First round
1994 to 2006—Did not qualify
2010—First round
Team profiles: Algeria | Argentina | Australia | Belgium | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Cameroon | Chile | Costa Rica | Colombia | Croatia | Ecuador | England| Germany | Ghana | Greece | Honduras | Iran | Italy | Ivory Coast | Japan | Mexico | The Netherlands | Nigeria | Portugal | Russia | South Korea | Spain | Switzerland | United States | Uruguay