Eliminated by Switzerland at 2026 World Cup, Algeria demands answers from Petkovic

Algeria was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the Round of 16, losing 2-0 to Switzerland on Friday. The Fennecs’ defeat immediately triggered a wave of criticism targeting manager Vladimir Petkovic, whose future leading the national team is now openly questioned.

Algeria thus joins South Africa, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo in the list of African selections — nine out of ten qualified for this stage — that failed to advance past this point in the competition.

The Algerian press was particularly harsh. TSA notably highlighted the case of Fares Chaibi, who started and remained on the pitch throughout the match despite a subdued performance. For the outlet, this decision “perfectly illustrates Vladimir Petkovic’s tactical errors, who tested numerous players during this World Cup, while the team lacks automatisms”. The central criticism: the manager arrived at the World Cup without a defined plan or stabilized system. TSA nonetheless formulated expectations rather than a call for resignation, urging Petkovic to “find solutions for the defense that has exposed its limitations” and to “work more on attacking efficiency”.

Among supporters, the tone is sharper. One expressed his anger at the coach’s “choices”, lamenting that “at every match, there are different lineups, different players”. This lack of continuity is all the more poorly received as Petkovic had extended his contract leading the Fennecs just before the tournament began.

Specialist site DZ Foot concluded bluntly: “Inevitably, the question of Vladimir Petkovic’s future must be raised.” The former Switzerland manager, who therefore knows the Swiss well having coached them, finds himself under pressure after an elimination that exposes the structural shortcomings of an Algeria team in search of playing identity.