On the eve of the 2026 World Cup group stage kickoff, the Desert Foxes sent a resounding statement on Wednesday evening during their final dress rehearsal, dominating Bolivia with a commanding 4-0 victory.
This friendly fixture took place at the University of Kansas Soccer Field in Kansas City. It was a strategic venue choice by the technical staff, given its close proximity to Lawrence, Kansas, where the Algerian delegation has set up its base camp for the tournament.
Played entirely behind closed doors, this full-scale test allowed Vladimir Petkovic’s squad to refine their chemistry away from public scrutiny, building on the momentum of their encouraging 1-0 win against the Netherlands earlier this month.
Focused from the opening whistle, the Greens quickly seized possession against a deeply defensive and compact Bolivian block. Although La Verde attempted to weather the storm, the breakthrough finally came just before the interval. In the 44th minute, veteran defender Aissa Mandi unlocked the defense. Remaining forward after a set-piece, he beat the opposing goalkeeper to give Algeria a deserved and liberating advantage going into the locker room.
Following the restart, the dynamic of the match transformed completely. Exhausted by the Algerian pressing and unable to match their technical precision, the Bolivians collapsed entirely within a five-minute window, sparked by Amine Gouiri.
The Desert Foxes’ forward delivered a devastatingly quick brace. In the 55th minute, he doubled the lead concluding a brilliant team move, before striking again just two minutes later to push the scoreline to 3-0. This clinical efficiency bodes exceptionally well for the national team’s attacking setup.
Visibly stunned, Bolivia, currently ranked 76th in the FIFA world standings, found no room to breathe. Just three minutes after the third goal, the lively Anis Hadj Moussa joined the scoring. In the 60th minute, the young winger completed the evening’s masterclass by slotting home the fourth and final goal.
The final half-hour allowed the coaching staff to rotate the squad, giving valuable minutes to substitutes like Luca Zidane and Yacine Titraoui, while managing the tempo to prevent any last-minute injuries.
This emphatic victory concludes a highly successful preparation campaign in the best possible way. Solid at the back, creative in midfield, and lethal upfront, Algeria heads into American territory with immense confidence.
The Desert Foxes are now officially in World Cup mode, where a massive challenge awaits them in Group J: an opening blockbuster clash against reigning champions Argentina on June 16 at Kansas City Stadium, before they face Jordan and Austria.
Major Injury Concerns Over Bensebaini
Just days before entering the 2026 World Cup against Argentina, the Algerian national team faces potentially troubling news regarding one of its most experienced pillars. Ramy Bensebaini remains a major doubt for the highly anticipated fixture scheduled for Kansas City.
The Borussia Dortmund defender did not feature in either of the two warm-up matches played by the Greens against the Netherlands and Bolivia. This absence naturally raises questions, especially since the player was expected to gradually regain match fitness after several weeks on the sidelines.
Bensebaini is struggling with a physical issue that demands cautious management from the Algerian medical staff. A right ankle injury has reportedly complicated his recovery, coming on the heels of a previous foot problem that sidelined him toward the end of the club season with Borussia Dortmund.
Anxieties intensified following the match against Bolivia, where the player was spotted wearing protective gear on his foot, fueling doubts about his readiness to face the defending world champions.
This predicament poses a genuine headache for Vladimir Petkovic. With over 80 caps for Algeria, Bensebaini is a natural leader within the squad. His elite-level experience, versatility, and tactical importance to the backline make him an incredibly difficult asset to replace.
Another worrying factor is that the former Rennes man has not played a competitive match in nearly two months. Even if he achieves a full recovery in the coming days, an immediate return in a fixture as demanding as the one against Argentina represents a monumental challenge.