A simulated draw for the 2026 World Cup has placed Algeria in a challenging group, raising concerns among fans. The simulation, conducted by a French publication, Onze Mondial, utilized the latest FIFA rankings to determine the potential composition of the tournament’s groups.
Under the new format, the 48 participating teams are divided into four pots, each containing 12 nations. Algeria, according to the simulation, falls into Pot Three. This positioning means Les Verts could face a formidable opponent from Pot One, a strong team from Pot Two, and a lower-ranked nation from Pot Four.
Pot One includes football powerhouses such as Mexico, the United States, Canada, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, and potentially Germany, pending their qualification. Pot Two features strong contenders like Japan, Senegal, and Croatia. Algeria shares Pot Three with nations like Ecuador, Australia, Tunisia, and Ivory Coast, while Pot Four includes teams such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.
The simulated draw presented a particularly daunting scenario for Algeria, pairing them with reigning World Cup champions Argentina, 2018 finalist and 2022 third-place finisher Croatia, and Saudi Arabia. This theoretical group has been labelled a ‘nightmare’ scenario by some.
While this simulated draw presents a difficult path, it remains only one of many possibilities before the official draw takes place. Historically, Algeria has faced tough groups in previous World Cup appearances. The national team has proven its resilience against top-tier opponents, demonstrating its ability to compete even against teams considered favorites for the title. The official draw will ultimately determine Algeria’s fate in the 2026 World Cup.
