In Algeria, the 2022 World Cup has a special flavor. Between eternal regret and the desire to support the neighbors, the country is slightly divided…
This 2022 World Cup will have a special flavor for Algerian supporters. For the second time in a row, they will follow the competition without seeing their Nation representing them. This year, the elimination hurt the Algerian people very badly. It must be said that there was no worse scenario for supporters. After winning the first leg of the playoffs against Cameroon away (1-0), Algeria lost at home, in front of their home crowd, after extra time, conceding a goal in the dying seconds of the game ( 120th+6). An earthquake for a whole people and a huge frustration since the meeting was marked by very contentious game facts and controversial decisions by the referee of the meeting, Bakary Gassama. So much so that the Algerian Federation had gone so far as to appeal to Fifa to have the match replayed and that the supporters had demonstrated in front of the headquarters of Fifa in Switzerland. In vain. It is Cameroon who will play the World Cup and Algeria who will stay at home.
But then, with the approach of the supreme competition, how do the Algerian people experience the start of the World Cup? Because, as we know, Algerian supporters are big football fans. But, this time, the feelings are visibly shared.
Diminished euphoria, but support for neighboring countries
While the elimination scenario obviously hurts, missing a World Cup in Qatar is also a factor to take into account. Because the competition has a particular flavor for the Arab world. This World Cup is the first in an Arab and Muslim country as well. Algeria would probably have played at home as will undoubtedly be the case with Morocco, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia in this tournament. Which frustrates the people even more.
Despite this disappointment, many Algerian supporters will obviously follow the competition. If some of them prefer to be neutral and not support anyone during the World Cup, others will be behind the African countries, notably Tunisia and Morocco. This is first of all the case of Djamel Belmadi. The coach of the Fennecs declared it publicly at a press conference. “I wish good luck to the national teams of Morocco, Tunisia, and all African teams for the World Cup. We were supported in 2019 by the Moroccan people and the Tunisian people, so we will support them too. A globally shared thought, as explained by the Algerian journalist, Ishaq Chebli. “The Algerian fans will be for Morocco and Tunisia. These two countries are two close countries in football culture. We still have the hope that one of the two nations will go through to the second round. There is a certain solidarity with the Arab countries. Even Qatar and Saudi Arabia will always have the support of Algerian fans. Something to console a little the supporters who will definitely regret it until the end of this nightmarish evening of March 29, 2022.
