Cheered by adoring fans, Algeria soccer team holds World Cup practice in Lawrence
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- Hundreds waited in line before the Algeria practice at Rock Chalk Park.
- Algeria is making Lawrence its base camp for the 2026 World Cup.
- The team held an hour practice, signed autographs, then hosted a youth clinic.
A full hour before the gates swung open at Rock Chalk Park, the line of attendees stretched long enough that it was impossible to see the end from the front. Or the front from the back.
Hundreds of patrons dressed in a sea of green, white and crimson — with some Kansas Jayhawks blue mixed in — waited patiently in the blistering sun to catch a glimpse of Team Algeria during a Thursday evening community training session.
Algeria is training in Lawrence, making its base camp in town for the duration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Algerian team will play its first match of the tournament next week in nearby Kansas City.
Despite the heat and long wait, those in line were upbeat. But that scene was just an appetizer for what was to come.
By the time the event started, the stands of Rock Chalk Park were filled with Algerian fans and curious Lawrence natives who watched everything the team did intently.
Plenty of fans in attendance Thursday evening waved Algerian flags or wrapped them around their bodies. Some children proudly sported face paint showcasing the green, red and white of the Algerian flag.
Before the start of the hour-long practice, the Marching Jayhawks played the Algerian national anthem, “Kassaman.”
After that, it was all business for the squad. For about an hour, players stretched and went through various soccer drills. In the midst of it all, young children decked out in Algerian gear hemmed and hawed at their idols.
Among the throng was 10-year-old Jawad Salha of Wichita. He told The Star he’s been a fan since he was 3 and had watched Algeria’s practice match against Bolivia on Wednesday.
“It’s really fun,” he said. “It’s like an opportunity for me to meet my country because I am from Algeria and Palestine. I’m in Wichita, only two hours away from here. So it’s fun to see my country play.”
Salha had high hopes for Algeria’s performance in the World Cup. The team is scheduled to play defending champion Argentina in Kansas City on Tuesday night.
“In my opinion, they might win,” Salha said. “From how good their goalie is right now. From how good he’s playing, from the Bolivia friendly match, they won 4-0. Now I think they have a chance of winning, but I don’t think it’s high.”
After the hour-long practice showcase, the Algerian team signed autographs in the middle of a frenzy, with numerous jerseys thrown at them by the crowd.
Since arriving in Lawrence on Sunday, the team and international vibe have been embraced by locals.
“I was actually leaving baseball Sunday night, going home to Kansas City, and they had cars lined (up) K-10 with the flags, and I’m like, ‘Wait a minute, what’s going on?’” Said Jason Booker, KU’s deputy athletic director. “So that was pretty cool.
“I don’t think we really anticipated (that), because you’re working on it, planning it, but you don’t know who’s going to show up, where they’re coming from, but to see the response for their fans at the hotel and the support has been really cool for the community.”
The Algerian national team concluded Thursday’s event by hosting a clinic for young athletes. The clinic was held on a separate field where the University of Kansas track and field team practices.
Earlier in the day, the Algerian players had visited KU’s David Booth Memorial Stadium and Allen Fieldhouse.
“We couldn’t get them off the basketball court,” Booker said. “They were shooting for like 20 minutes. They didn’t want to leave. It was like 98 degrees in there.”
Booker said those with the team seem to be enjoying Lawrence.
“They’re super appreciative,” Booker said of the Algerian squad. “The team, and Brahim ... their director of ops, he’s just over the moon. He’s like, ‘You guys have been so accommodating.’”
After meeting Argentina on Tuesday at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium, Algeria’s next World Cup group-stage match is against Jordan on June 22 in California. After that, Algeria will return to Kansas City to play Austria on June 27.
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 11:32 PM.
