Petkovic sacked by Algeria after humiliating elimination against Switzerland

Vladimir Petkovic will not survive Algeria’s elimination at the 2026 World Cup. The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has reached an agreement with the Bosnian head coach to end their collaboration, according to information from independent journalist Romain Molina, who announced on X: “It’s over for Petkovic”.

The 2-0 defeat to Switzerland in the Round of 16 hastened the downfall of a coach already in the crosshairs of Algerian supporters. The Fennecs’ lacklustre performance crystallized criticism, designating Petkovic as the main culprit for an exit from the competition deemed unworthy.

The timing of his departure makes the situation all the more embarrassing for the FAF. The federation had chosen, to general surprise, to extend the former Bordeaux manager until 2028 just weeks before the World Cup kicked off. This failed gamble now forces Algerian officials to start from scratch in their search for a new head coach, with the thorny question of a potential contract termination fee looming in the background.

Algeria must quickly look ahead, particularly to the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations fixtures, and identify a successor capable of reviving a squad lacking direction.