Preview: Algeria vs Botswana - prediction, team news, lineups

Table-topping Algeria continue their push for an automatic spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they welcome Botswana to the Hocine Ait Ahmed Stadium on Thursday evening.

The Desert Warriors are firmly in control of Group G and will look to tighten their grip at the summit, while the visitors aim to keep their qualification hopes alive with a huge upset on the road.

Match preview

Algeria have enjoyed a near-perfect campaign so far, winning five of their six qualifiers, with the only blemish coming in a 2-1 defeat against Guinea in June.

Since then, they have bounced back strongly, defeating Uganda 2-1 before putting together a dominant international break in March, overcoming Botswana 3-1 and thrashing Mozambique 5-1.

That run has highlighted their attacking firepower, with 16 goals scored in the group - the highest tally across all CAF qualifiers - while conceding just six.

Their resilience is further underlined by going unbeaten in nine of their last 10 games, the outlier being a 4-3 friendly loss to Sweden in June.

Having missed the last two World Cup finals, the Fennecs are determined to make a return on the biggest stage.

They are seeking their fourth-ever appearance at the tournament and their first since 2014, when they famously reached the round of 16.

Head coach Vladimir Petkovic will be pleased with his side’s progress, knowing that another victory here would leave them firmly on course for automatic qualification.

While Botswana can technically still secure automatic qualification, their immediate target will likely be ensuring a playoff position.

Morena Ramoreboli’s side sit third in Group G with nine points, six behind leaders Algeria and three adrift of second-placed Mozambique.

They boosted their chances with a 2-0 victory over Somalia in their last qualifier, courtesy of late goals from Gape Mohutsiwa and Mothusi Johnson.

However, inconsistency has been a concern for the Zebras who, exited the 2025 COSAFA Cup at the group stage after draws with Malawi and Zambia, and they have won just one of their last six matches across all competitions, drawing four and losing one.

Head coach Ramoreboli, who initially stepped in as interim before being handed the job permanently in January, guided Botswana to only their second-ever AFCON qualification earlier this year.

However, for their World Cup dream to stay alive, they must start turning draws into wins, and that will be a tall order against the group leaders.

Algeria World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

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Algeria form (all competitions):

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Botswana World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

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Botswana form (all competitions):

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Team News

Algeria will be without AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer, who has suffered a physical setback.

Petkovic is also missing defenders Mohamed Farsi and Mohamed Amine Madani, as well as midfielder Himad Abdelli due to injuries.

There is, however, a second call-up for Ilan Kais Kebbal of Paris FC, though he has not yet made an official appearance for the team.

The squad retains a strong Ligue 1 core, with the likes of Aissa Mandi, Nabil Bentaleb, Amine Gouiri and Hicham Boudaoui, while captain Riyad Mahrez and Rayan Ait-Nouri provide star quality.

Botswana have introduced two newcomers for this trip, with midfielders Thapelo Mabedi and Shanganani Ngada earning call-ups.

Mpho Kgaswane and Thabo Maponda of Gaborone United also return after lengthy absences.

Algeria possible starting lineup:

Guendouz; Hadjam, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Boudaoui, Benzia, Chaibi; Mahrez, Gouiri, Amoura

Botswana possible starting lineup:

Phoko; Velaphi, Kopelang, Gaolaolwe, Johnson; Mohutsiwa, Baruti; Setsile, Boy, Ditsele; Orebonye