Oran – Preparations are underway for the crucial match between Somalia and Algeria, scheduled for October 9 at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran, kicking off at 5:00 p.m., as part of the ninth round of the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Group 7), according to local authorities.
The Wali of Oran, Samir Chibani, chaired a coordination meeting on Tuesday to finalize preparations for the encounter. The session was attended by local officials, members of the security committee, the secretary-general of the Algerian Football Federation, representatives of local communities, heads of relevant departments, and managers of public institutions in charge of sanitation and the Mediterranean Village infrastructure.
Chibani stressed that the local authorities are mobilizing all material, human, and logistical resources to ensure the smooth running of this important match. He gave firm instructions for the implementation of a clear roadmap, based on continuous coordination between the concerned institutions, while emphasizing the need for cohesion among all stakeholders to guarantee an organization that meets international standards.
Somalia opted to play this match on Algerian soil due to the failure of its stadiums to meet international football governing bodies’ requirements. For Algeria, this encounter carries decisive importance. A victory could officially secure qualification to the upcoming World Cup, adding to the anticipation and significance of the fixture.
Ahead of this penultimate round, Algeria’s “Fennecs” lead Group 7 by four points over their closest pursuers, Uganda—who will also be their last opponent in the qualifiers—and Mozambique. Only the top team in the group will book a direct ticket to the global tournament, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Algeria’s path, marked by consistency, discipline, and determination, stands as a reflection of the country’s resilience and growing influence on the continental stage, not only in sports but across all domains—despite futile attempts by the Moroccan regime to tarnish Algeria’s achievements at both regional and international levels.
