The Algerian Football Federation has succeeded in convincing its Somali counterparts to host the two teams’ 2026 World Cup qualifier in Algeria.
The Somali national team plays its qualifying matches only at home, the Nelson Mandela Stadium in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, which would have been a sporting burden for Algeria.
The Algerians contacted Somali Football Federation officials in the past few hours and reached an agreement to move the match to the Hussein Ait Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria. Algeria will cover all travel and accommodation costs for the Somalis in Algiers.
This move brings the Algerian national team much closer to qualifying for the World Cup. They will play their remaining two qualifying matches in Tizi Ouzou, with massive fan support, which will undoubtedly help them secure six points and secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
The Algerian national team faced harsh criticism after failing to beat Guinea in their final match, only drawing 0-0. This left them just four points behind runners-up Uganda.
If Algeria wins against Somalia on October 6, they will officially secure a place in the World Cup. Any other result will postpone the matter until Uganda’s final qualifying match.
