"A 3-0 win over Somalia on Thursday guaranteed Algeria first place in Group G in African qualifying and a return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014. Algeria, captained by Riyad Mahrez and led by former Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic, joined neighboring nations Morocco and Tunisia as well as Mohamed Salah's Egypt in securing a spot in next year's expanded 48-team tournament being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico."
"Despite being a home game for Somalia, it was staged at the Miloud Hadefi Olympic Complex in Algeria and the fans were treated to a show by Mahrez -- the team's star winger who used to play for Manchester City and now is at Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia. The 34-year-old Mahrez set up goals for Mohamed Amoura in the sixth and 58th minutes, either side of scoring himself with a fierce strike into the roof of the net in the 19th."
Algeria clinched qualification for the 2026 World Cup by defeating Somalia 3-0 to finish first in Group G, marking a return to the tournament since 2014. Riyad Mahrez supplied two assists and scored, with Mohamed Amoura converting twice, in a match held at the Miloud Hadefi Olympic Complex. Algeria is the fourth African country to qualify, joining Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt for the expanded 48-team event in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Algeria will appear at the World Cup for the fifth time and has advanced past the group stage only once, in 2014. Nine African teams will qualify directly, with remaining places decided by upcoming group winners and a runners-up knockout pathway.
Read at ESPN.com
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