AFCON 2024 - Algeria: Group, calendar, opponents, and squad

Following their success in 2019 and not-so-convincing performance in Cameroon, coach Djamel Belmadi will be looking to lead his Algeria team to victory in Ivory Coast as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) begins in a few weeks.

For clarity's sake, this year's competition is officially named AFCON 2023 since it was initially scheduled to take place last year but was postponed until January-February 2024.

Here is all you need to know about the Fennecs.

AFCON 2024 ALGERIA

The Algerians have been grouped alongside 2013 finalists Burkina Faso, Angola and Mauritania in Group D. The Fennecs will play all their three group matches in Bouaké.

15 January 9pm: Algeria – Angola (Stade de la Paix)
20 January 3pm: Algeria – Burkina Faso (Stade de la Paix)
23 January 9pm.: Mauritania – Algeria (Stade de la Paix)

How Algeria qualified for AFCON 2024

Algeria topped Group F during the qualifiers, amassing 16 points, the Greens did not lose a single match, registering a draw on the last day after winning five matches.

Day 1: Algeria-Uganda (2-0)
Day 2: Tanzania-Algeria (0-2)
Day 3: Algeria-Niger (2-1)
Day 4: Niger-Algeria (0-1)
Day 5: Uganda-Algeria (1-2)
Day 6: Algeria-Tanzania (0-0)

Algeria last 10 games

Mozambique-Algeria (0-2) – FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Algeria-Somalia (3-1) – FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
Egypt-Algeria (1-1) – Friendly
Algeria-Cape Verde (5-1) – Friendly
Senegal-Algeria (0-1) – Friendly
Algeria-Tanzania (0-0) – AFCON 2023 Qualifiers
Algeria-Tunisia (1-1) – Friendly
Uganda-Algeria (1-2) – AFCON 2023 Qualifiers
Niger-Algeria (0-1) – AFCON 2023 Qualifiers
Algeria-Niger (2-1) – AFCON 2023 Qualifiers

Algeria – good memories of 2019?

It'd be best to quickly banish the memories of AFCON 2021 in Cameroon for the then-defending champions as they were eliminated in the first round, but the memories of 2019 would last when they lifted the trophy in Egypt thanks to a goal from Baghdad Bounedjah in the second minute of play.

On paper, the Fennecs, boosted by the new generation of Gouiri, Aouar, Chaïbi and Amoura, have the means to reproduce such a performance, as evidenced by their performances in the AFCON qualifiers.

Photo by Icon Sport

The Coach: Djamel Belmadi

Since his appointment in 2018, Djamel Belmadi had experienced a topsy-turvy run with the team, winning in 2019 before suffering an early exit last timeout in Cameroon.

He also failed to qualify the Fennecs for the last World Cup in Qatar following a dramatic play-off loss to Cameroon. The federation, however, kept faith in the ex-international by allowing him to stay in his contract till 2026.

The outspoken Belmadi is one of the highest-paid coaches in world football with an annual salary estimated at around 2.6 million euros. The 47-year-old technician will be keen to make Algeria shine again on the continental scene at AFCON 2023.

Player to watch: Houssem Aouar

Houssem Aouar, 25, joined the Algerian team this year with whom he's made a good debut with two goals in five appearances.

Despite obvious difficulties at Roma since the start of the season, the former Lyonnais, a true versatile attacking midfielder capable of playing as a frontman or a support striker, is capable of bringing a big plus to the Greens thanks to his technical ability, his skills and his vision of the game.

He will be one to watch closely during the tournament in Ivory Coast.

AFCON 2024 ALgeria — Photo by Icon sport

AFCON 2024 Preparations

Algeria's had opened an early camping this month at the National Technical Center in Sidi Moussa. The location of the pre-competitition camp that follows will be chosen from Senegal, Ghana, or Equatorial Guinea, with a decision scheduled for December 10.

Two friendly matches have been lined up against teams in Pot 4 (Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, Gambia and Tanzania) except Angola, which appears in the same group as the Fennecs.

The team will stay at the Hôtel du Stade in Bouaké, offering a comfortable setting similar to that of AFCON 2019 in Egypt.