Mahrez Inspires Algeria to 2026 World Cup Qualification

Riyad Mahrez starred as Algeria became the fourth African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 3-0 win over Somalia in Oran on Thursday.

The captain set up Mohamed Amoura’s opener, scored a brilliant half-volley, and assisted Amoura’s second as the Desert Foxes sealed top spot in Group G with a game to spare. Algeria return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014.

The match, nominally a Somalia home game, was played in Algeria due to stadium issues in the Horn of Africa nation.

Goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of France legend Zinedine Zidane, earned his first Algeria call-up after switching allegiance from France but remained on the bench.

In the same group, Uganda boosted their play-off hopes with a 1-0 win over Botswana, while Mozambique lost 2-1 at home to Guinea.

Elsewhere, Liberia kept their hopes alive in Group H after beating Namibia 3-1 in Paynesville. Equatorial Guinea later suspended coach Juan Micha after he refused to travel for their cancelled match against Malawi.

Senegal and Ivory Coast could also confirm qualification when the penultimate round concludes on Friday.