Algeria’s national football team is set to play its final 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Uganda at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou, aiming to finish their campaign in style.
After a convincing 3-0 victory over Somalia, the Fennecs have already secured their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, topping their group with 22 points.
But for coach Vladimir Petković and his players, the mission isn’t over yet — they want to end their qualifying journey with a win and maintain their unbeaten record.
“We’ve worked hard to get here, and we want to finish strong. Every match matters for our confidence heading into AFCON 2025,” said Petković during a pre-match press briefing.
Uganda still fighting for survival
While Algeria has already qualified, Uganda’s “Cranes” still have everything to play for. A win could see them finish among the best runners-up, giving them a chance to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history.
This makes the match a high-stakes encounter — a celebration for Algeria, but a final lifeline for Uganda.
Algeria’s dominance in head-to-head history.
The two nations have a long history that clearly favors Algeria. Since their first clash in 1968, where Algeria won 4–0, the North Africans have enjoyed the upper hand in most of their encounters.
Uganda had a good spell in the 1970s, recording a few victories, including 2–1 and 2–0 wins in 1973, and another during the 1973 Africa Cup of Nations. However, Algeria quickly regained dominance, especially in recent years.
From 1999 onwards, the Fennecs have consistently outperformed the Cranes. Recent results underline this superiority — Algeria won 2–0 in 2022, 2–1 in 2023, 2–1 in 2024, and 3–0 in 2025.
In total, the two sides have met over a dozen times, with Algeria winning the majority of their games, drawing a few, and losing only a handful.
A test of focus and pride
Despite their dominant record, Algeria knows they cannot take Uganda lightly. The Cranes, desperate for a positive result, are expected to play with intensity and determination.
Analysts say the game will test Algeria’s ability to balance celebration with professionalism. For Uganda, it’s about survival and national pride — a chance to write history.
Building momentum for AFCON 2025
For Algeria, this match is more than just another qualifier. It’s an opportunity to fine-tune tactics and maintain momentum ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025. The team has shown strong chemistry under Petković, with a mix of experienced players and rising stars performing well throughout the campaign.
The road ahead
As both teams prepare for Monday’s clash, the stakes couldn’t be clearer:
• Algeria wants to end unbeaten and reinforce their dominance in African football.
• Uganda dreams of a historic qualification, relying on grit and determination.
Whatever the outcome, fans in Tizi Ouzou can expect an exciting game full of passion, pride, and the spirit of competition.
For Algeria, it’s about finishing what they started.
For Uganda, it’s about keeping the dream alive.
