Austria coach Ralf Rangnick is acutely aware of what his side need when they face Algeria tomorrow in one of the longest-held grudge matches in World Cup history.
The North Africans have never forgotten the ‘Disgrace of Gijon’ when, in the 1982 World Cup, Austria and West Germany played for over an hour with the score at 1-0 to the Germans with little intention of scoring as that result saw both teams qualify at the expense of Algeria.
The irony is a draw for both teams 44 years later would likely see them both advance.
Rangnick said: “It is certainly an advantage that, at the beginning of the game, we already know exactly which result we need.
“We have to make sure in the last game that we are definitely there when it goes into the knockout phase. Then in the end it doesn’t matter who we come up against.”
Rangnick is partially correct but there is an additional sub-plot that means his team would arguably be better suffering a narrow loss in order to finish third in the group.
The second-placed finisher will almost certainly play European champions Spain in the round of 32 and it may be better to secure a best third-placed finisher spot and take your chance against potentially weaker opposition.
Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic refused to get into the weeds of potential scenarios but did admit after the win over Jordan: “I think ultimately we’ve produced two good performances. We deserve to win this game, and it certainly gives us a lot of confidence and belief ahead of our next match.
“What mattered for us was to win this match, to stay in the hunt, to make it through to the knockout stage, and ultimately to have our fate in our own hands. Nothing has yet been decided, but we’re in a good position.”
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | |
| Argentina | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 6 |
| Austria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Algeria | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| Jordan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 0 |
Table of Contents
World Cup 2026: Algeria v Austria team news
Algeria are still without forward Mohamed Amoura due to the hamstring injury he sustained against Argentina.
Austria may recall veteran attacker Marko Arnautovic.
Algeria v Austria World Cup 2026 predicted line-ups
Algeria: Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Bentaleb, Benbouali, Mahrez, Maza, Chaibi; Gouiri
Austria: A Schlager; Posch, Danso, Alaba, Laimer; Seiwald, X Schlager, Schmid, Wanner, Sabitzer; Arnautovic
Where to watch Algeria v Austria: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Sunday is at 03:00 BST (22:00 ET on Saturday / 19:00 PT on Saturday). In the UK, live TV coverage is on BBC Two.
Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.
World Cup 2026: Algeria v Austria stats
- Algeria’s 3-0 defeat to Argentina on matchday one was their joint-heaviest at the World Cup, losing by the same scoreline in 1986 to Spain, though the 10 shots they faced was their third-fewest in such a match after 2014 against South Korea (9) and 2010 against Slovenia (6)
- In that game, Aissa Mandi became the first African player on record to complete at least 100 passes in a World Cup match (since 1966), completing 100 of his 105 attempts (95.2%). Only Lionel Messi (7) made more line-breaking passes in the final third in that match than Mandi’s five
- This is Algeria’s fifth appearance at the World Cup and their first since 2014, which was the only time they have progressed past the first stage of the tournament
- They won two of their first three matches at the 1982 World Cup but have won two of their 11 games since then at the finals
- The Fennecs have one clean sheet in their 15 World Cup matches, sharing a 0-0 draw with England in 2010
- Austria have won 10 of their last 13 games across all competitions (D1 L2) and had been victorious in each of their four preceding their defeat to Argentina
- Marcel Sabitzer will make his 100th appearance for Austria by starting against Argentina, becoming the joint-fourth most capped player in the nation’s history (level with Aleksandar Dragovic), after Marko Arnautovic (135), David Alaba (115) and Andreas Herzog (103)
- Arnautovic, who is 37, became Austria’s all-time top scorer during the qualifiers by reaching 47 goals, overtaking Anton Polster (44)
- Sabitzer and Arnautovic are the only players who have featured for Austria at each of the last three EURO tournaments (2016, 2020, 2024)
- Ralf Rangnick is the second head coach to lead Austria at two major international tournaments (World Cup and EURO), after Josef Hickersberger (1990 World Cup and EURO 2008)
World Cup 2026: Algeria v Austria prediction
A difficult game to call. A draw, but not a win, is the perfect result for Algeria while a narrow defeat would not be the end of the world for Austria.
Prediction: Algeria 0-0 Austria
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