Mahrez absent from press conference ahead of Algeria-Argentina World Cup clash

The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) announced on Monday that Riyad Mahrez will not participate in the pre-match press conference scheduled for 21:30 French time. Manager Vladimir Petkovic will present himself alone to the media, less than 24 hours before the kick-off of Algeria’s first match against Argentina in Kansas City.

According to journalist Samir Kaabouche, the decision comes directly from the FAF, which wishes to limit media solicitations around the captain and his teammates. The stated objective is to allow the players to remain fully focused on the fixture against the reigning world champions.

The match, scheduled for the night of Tuesday to Wednesday at 3 a.m. French time, marks the grand return of the Fennecs to the World Cup after twelve years of absence. Algeria thus returns to the competition in a competitive group, facing an Argentine side led by Lionel Messi.

After this first test against the Albiceleste, Petkovic’s men will face Jordan on Tuesday, June 23 at 5 a.m., before concluding their group stage against Austria on Sunday, June 28 at 4 a.m.