Rabat – Algeria takes on Somalia at the Stade Olympique d’Oran in Bir el Djir, Algiers, and is looking to seal their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Fennecs sit atop Group G with 19 points, meaning even a draw in this match will officially clinch their spot at the finals, which would be Algeria’s fifth World Cup appearance. Somalia, already eliminated, will be playing for pride.
Match Details
- Fixture: Somalia vs Algeria
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers (CAF), Group G
- Venue: Stade Olympique d’Oran in Bir el Djir (Algeria)
- Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
- Kick-off: 17:00 (GMT+1)
- How to Watch: beIN Sports 1 MENA Algeria’s ENTV/TV6, Shahid,
MATCH DAY | يوم المباراة#LesVerts⭐⭐️ | #123vivalAlgérie🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/v2J2jJy09b
— Équipe d’Algérie de football (@LesVerts) October 9, 2025
Algeria Team News
Injuries: Algeria is without several key players for this match. Right-back Youcef Atal and center-back Mohamed Tougai are sidelined by injuries, as are midfielders Ismael Bennacer and Houssem Aouarf.
These absences have forced coach Vladimir Petković to adjust his selections.
Squad changes: In goal, there is a possibility of a debut for Luca Zidane, who has been called up.
In midfield, Nabil Bentaleb and Hicham Boudaoui are expected to anchor the midfield.
Up front, captain Riyad Mahrez will lead the attack alongside forward Mohamed Amoura, Algeria’s top scorer in this qualifying with 6 goals and 4 assists.
Predicted lineup: Luca Zidan; Kévin Van Den Kerkhof, Aïssa Mandi, Ramy Bensebaïni, Jaouen Hadjam; Nabil Bentaleb, Hicham Boudaoui, Farès Chaïbi; Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Amoura, Amine Gouiri
Somalia Team News
Injuries: No major injuries.
Somalia has scored just 3 goals in 8 qualifiers, each by a different player (Yusuf Ahmed, Sakaria Hassan, Ismail Shirwa).
The team lacks a consistent attacking threat and will likely stick to a defensive playstyle to contain Algeria.
Predicted lineup: Abdirahman Mohamud Jama; Abdirizak Mohamed, Mohamed Osman, Abdullahi Mohamed, Abdulle Abdullahi; Ali Musse, Mohamed Omar, Abdulrahman Sharif, Yasir Saad; Yusuf Ahmed, Abdi Nour
What to Expect
Algeria are strong favorites. They’ve lost just once in eight qualifiers and are unbeaten in their last five, scoring 19 goals. A win today secures top spot and qualifies them for the World Cup. They’re expected to dominate possession and attack early
Somalia are bottom of the group with only 1 point. They’ve scored just 3 goals and conceded 16. Their last two games ended in heavy defeats (3-0 to Guinea, 2-0 to Uganda).
Safe Calls
- Both Teams to Score: NO – Somalia has scored only 3 times in eight qualifiers. Algeria is likely to keep a clean sheet.
- Over 2.5 Goals: YES – Algeria’s attack has been prolific (19 goals in 8 games)
- Mahrez or Amoura to score/assist: YES
- Algeria to Win or Draw: YES –. Algeria is unbeaten in its last five qualifiers and has a far better squad.
Prediction: Somalia 0-3 Algeria
