Algerian Fans Turn on Petkovic After World Cup Exit

Criticism has intensified against Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic after Algeria's early exit from the 2026 World Cup, as the "Desert Warriors" were eliminated in the Round of 32 following a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland.

Algeria finished the group stage in third place with four points, having secured a 2-1 victory over Jordan, drawn 3-3 with Austria, and suffered a heavy 3-0 loss to Argentina before bowing out to Switzerland.

The lack of stability in the starting lineup has been one of the main criticisms of Petkovic during the tournament, as he made frequent changes to the team from match to match, affecting player cohesion.

Changes affected most positions, including the goalkeeper role, where both Luca Zidane and Osama Ben Bout took turns guarding the "Greens" goal, without the coaching staff settling on a fixed option.

The Swiss coach also faced criticism for his use of talent Ibrahim Maza, as he deployed him in multiple positions throughout the tournament, preventing him from showcasing his best form.

The Bayer Leverkusen player played as a midfielder against Argentina, then as a playmaker against Jordan and Austria, before being used as a forward against Switzerland, failing to score or assist any goals during the team's campaign.

Many believe that Petkovic's insistence on the duo Aissa Mandi and Ramy Ben Sabaini in central defense contributed to the decline of the defensive system, despite their lack of complete harmony.

The Algerian team conceded nine goals in four matches, averaging over two goals per game, while the coach did not give opportunities to other defensive options, despite the good performances previously shown by Mohamed Amine Tougai and Zinedine Belaid.