JOHANNESBURG (Kashmir English): Algeria beat Somalia 3-0 on Thursday to become the fourth nation to qualify for the 2026 Football World Cup from Africa after Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.
Mohamed Amoura scored twice to make his side edge past Somalia. The Wolfsburg striker volleyed a Riyad Mahrez cross into the net on six minutes, then the former Manchester City winger slammed a loose ball into the net midway through the opening half.
Mahrez also helped Amoura to stretch the lead to three goals on 57 minutes. Coach Vladimir Petkovic later substituted both scorers as he was sure that qualification was secured.
Thursday’s was a predictable outcome in western port city Oran as the Desert Foxes are 163 places above the Ocean Stars in the world rankings.
Algeria have already 22 points in Group G with one round remaining, four more than second-placed Uganda. Mozambique is third, followed by Guinea, Botswana and Somalia.
Algeria’s fifth appearance in a World Cup
Algeria will be playing a World Cup for the fifth time when they travel to the 2026 tournament, which the United States, Canada and Mexico are co-hosting.
Algeria were out in the first round in the 1982, 1986 and 2010 tournaments. They reached the second round at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, losing 2-1 to eventual champions Germany.
