Algerian Radio
The official website of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) highlighted the exceptional atmosphere surrounding the national team's stay in Lawrence, Kansas (United States), during the 2026 World Cup, emphasizing that football has forged a special relationship between the Greens and the city's residents.
Under the title "Football Unites Algeria and the City of Lawrence, Kansas," FIFA explains that this bond demonstrates, once again, the power of football to bring people together. The Greens were welcomed with warmth and hospitality by a community that opened its arms to them upon their arrival in this city of nearly 100,000 inhabitants.
A particularly warm reception was reserved for the Algerian delegation, with nearly 400 people gathered to welcome them in an atmosphere that left a strong impression on the players and the technical staff members.
Among those most touched by this reception was national team coach Vladimir Petkovic, who stated that the hospitality of the city's residents was particularly moving. He also expressed his desire to continue the adventure in this World Cup to share this experience with an even greater number of fans.
The shows of support also continued during the training session open to the public, held at Rock Chalk Park stadium, in the presence of approximately 2,500 fans. The stands were adorned in national colors, while the fans chanted several songs of encouragement, notably the famous "One, Two, Three... Viva l'Algérie."
Furthermore, the University of Kansas reserved a special welcome for the Greens, featuring the participation of the cheerleading squad and the institution's two official mascots, in addition to the performance of the Algerian national anthem before the start of the training session.
The city was also the scene of several initiatives aimed at showcasing Algeria and its football culture, notably through the organization of introductory football workshops, with the active contribution of the Algerian community to the success of the various activities organized around the national team's stay.
Among the standout moments noted by FIFA was the presence of around 600 people at the inauguration of a monumental artwork created by local artist Stan Herd. The piece depicts the Algerian flag on the university campus using landscape art techniques.
Finally, the FIFA report emphasizes that the World Cup is not limited to sporting competition, but continues to generate inspiring human stories that bring peoples and cultures closer together, thus illustrating football's ability to unite the world across distances.
As a reminder, the national team returned to the city of Lawrence on Tuesday afternoon and has already resumed training in preparation for its third and final Group J match, scheduled for Sunday at 3:00 AM (Algerian time) against Austria.
