Where is Algeria? What to know about team facing Messi with a Zidane in goal
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Where is Algeria? What to know about team facing Messi with a Zidane in goal
Kristie Ackert, USA TODAY
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2 min read
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Algeriaopened its firstWorld Cupin 12 years againstLionel Messiand the defending championsTuesday night in Kansas City. It put one of Africa's biggest soccer nations back on the world's biggest stage, and sent plenty of American fans to their phones with the same question.
The answer is North Africa. Algeria sits on the Mediterranean coast between Morocco and Tunisia, with the Sahara stretching south. It is the largest country in Africa by land area and home to about 45 million people. The capital is Algiers. Algeria was a French colony for more than a century before winning its independence in 1962, and that history still runs through its soccer.
Has Algeria played in the World Cup before?
This is Algeria's fifth World Cup and its first since 2014. That last trip was its best. Algeria reached the round of 16 in Brazil before losing to Germany in extra time. Germany went on to win the whole thing.
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Who plays for Algeria?
The team is nicknamed Les Fennecs, after the big-eared fox that lives in the Sahara. Riyad Mehrez captains the team. The winger won the Premier League with Leicester City and Manchester City and remains the most familiar name on the roster to American fans. Striker Mohamed Amoura, who plays for Wolfsburg in Germany, carried Algeria through qualifying and scored a hat trick against Mozambique.
Argentine player Lionel Messi plays with a ball during a training session at Herzogs Park, Herzogenaurach on June 6, 2006, ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2006.
(DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)
Argentine players Lionel Messi (R) and Fabricio Coloccini sign autographs for supporters during a training session at Herzogs Park, Herzogenaurach on June 6, 2006, ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2006.
(DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)
Argentinian forward Lionel Messi blows a bubble ahead of the quarter-final World Cup football match between Germany and Argentina at Berlin's Olympic Stadium on June 30, 2006.
(DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)
Argentina's footballer Lionel Messi shows off during a training session at the field of the Union Atletica in Maracaibo, Venezuela, on June 30, 2007.
(ALEJANDRO PAGNI, AFP via Getty Images)
Argentina's coach Diego Maradona hugs Argentina's striker Lionel Messi after the 2010 World Cup quarter final Argentina vs Germany on July 3, 2010 at Green Point stadium in Cape Town. Germany won 4-0.
(JAVIER SORIANO, AFP via Getty Images)
Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Group F football match between Argentina and Bosnia Hercegovina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 15, 2014.
(JUAN MABROMATA, AFP via Getty Images)
A fan tries to kiss the feet of Argentina's Lionel Messi during the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier football match against Uruguay in Mendoza, Argentina, on Sept. 1, 2016.
(JUAN MABROMATA, AFP via Getty Images)
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi celebrates his goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018.
(KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV, AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Argentina at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
(Alex Livesey, Getty Images)
Brazil's Neymar (L) and Argentina's Lionel Messi talk before their South American qualification football match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Neo Quimica Arena, also known as Corinthians Arena, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 5, 2021.
(NELSON ALMEIDA, AFP via Getty Images)
Team Argentina with Lionel Messi (R) of Argentina sing their national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina shows dejection during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina is fouled by Wojciech Szczesny of Poland which leads to a penalty during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Poland and Argentina at Stadium 974 on Nov. 30, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
(Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi celebrates after he scores his team's second goal from the penalty spot during the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between The Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium, north of Doha on Dec. 9, 2022.
(FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)
Fans of Argentina hold a flag depicting Argentine football stars Lionel Messi (L) and late Diego Maradona (R) while gathering at the Obelisk to celebrate winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup against France in Buenos Aires, on Dec. 18, 2022.
(EMILIANO LASALVIA, AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec.18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Richard Heathcote, Getty Images)
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi kicks the ball during the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec. 18, 2022.
(KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV, AFP via Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina scores the team's third goal past Hugo Lloris of France during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Julian Finney, Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy while holding the adidas Golden Boot award after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Julian Finney, Getty Images)
Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec.18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Julian Finney, Getty Images)
1/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Argentine player Lionel Messi plays with a ball during a training session at Herzogs Park, Herzogenaurach on June 6, 2006, ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2006.
(DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)
1/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Argentine player Lionel Messi plays with a ball during a training session at Herzogs Park, Herzogenaurach on June 6, 2006, ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2006.
(DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)
2/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Argentine players Lionel Messi (R) and Fabricio Coloccini sign autographs for supporters during a training session at Herzogs Park, Herzogenaurach on June 6, 2006, ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2006.
(DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)
3/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Argentinian forward Lionel Messi blows a bubble ahead of the quarter-final World Cup football match between Germany and Argentina at Berlin's Olympic Stadium on June 30, 2006.
(DANIEL GARCIA, AFP via Getty Images)
4/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Argentina's footballer Lionel Messi shows off during a training session at the field of the Union Atletica in Maracaibo, Venezuela, on June 30, 2007.
(ALEJANDRO PAGNI, AFP via Getty Images)
5/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Argentina's coach Diego Maradona hugs Argentina's striker Lionel Messi after the 2010 World Cup quarter final Argentina vs Germany on July 3, 2010 at Green Point stadium in Cape Town. Germany won 4-0.
(JAVIER SORIANO, AFP via Getty Images)
6/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Argentina's forward and captain Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Group F football match between Argentina and Bosnia Hercegovina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 15, 2014.
(JUAN MABROMATA, AFP via Getty Images)
7/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
A fan tries to kiss the feet of Argentina's Lionel Messi during the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier football match against Uruguay in Mendoza, Argentina, on Sept. 1, 2016.
(JUAN MABROMATA, AFP via Getty Images)
8/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi celebrates his goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Nigeria and Argentina at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018.
(KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV, AFP via Getty Images)
9/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Argentina at Saint Petersburg Stadium on June 26, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
(Alex Livesey, Getty Images)
10/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Brazil's Neymar (L) and Argentina's Lionel Messi talk before their South American qualification football match for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Neo Quimica Arena, also known as Corinthians Arena, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 5, 2021.
(NELSON ALMEIDA, AFP via Getty Images)
11/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Team Argentina with Lionel Messi (R) of Argentina sing their national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)
12/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Lionel Messi of Argentina shows dejection during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)
13/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Lionel Messi of Argentina is fouled by Wojciech Szczesny of Poland which leads to a penalty during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Poland and Argentina at Stadium 974 on Nov. 30, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.
(Matthias Hangst, Getty Images)
14/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi celebrates after he scores his team's second goal from the penalty spot during the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between The Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium, north of Doha on Dec. 9, 2022.
(FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)
15/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Fans of Argentina hold a flag depicting Argentine football stars Lionel Messi (L) and late Diego Maradona (R) while gathering at the Obelisk to celebrate winning the Qatar 2022 World Cup against France in Buenos Aires, on Dec. 18, 2022.
(EMILIANO LASALVIA, AFP via Getty Images)
16/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec.18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Richard Heathcote, Getty Images)
17/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi kicks the ball during the Qatar 2022 World Cup final football match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on Dec. 18, 2022.
(KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV, AFP via Getty Images)
18/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Lionel Messi of Argentina scores the team's third goal past Hugo Lloris of France during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Julian Finney, Getty Images)
19/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Lionel Messi of Argentina kisses the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy while holding the adidas Golden Boot award after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Julian Finney, Getty Images)
20/20
Look back as Lionel Messi makes history with sixth World Cup showing
Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner's Trophy during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on Dec.18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.
(Julian Finney, Getty Images)
Why is a Zidane playing for Algeria?
Algeria starts Luca Zidane, the son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, in goal. The elder Zidane won the 1998 World Cup for France. His son was born near Marseille and played for France at the youth level. Last year, he switched his international allegiance to Algeria, the country his grandparents came from before settling in France.
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What language do they speak in Algeria?
Algeria has two official languages, Arabic and Tamazight, the Berber tongue spoken across North Africa. Most Algerians use a local dialect of Arabic in daily life. Berber languages are common too, especially in Kabyle in the mountainous region east of Algiers.
French is also everywhere without being official. More than a century of colonial rule left it embedded in schools, business and government, and millions of Algerians still read and speak it.
