The World Cup draw is usually about opponents. This one also created a sleep schedule. A new World Cup Fan Fatigue Index ranks all 48 national fanbases by how punishing their 2026 group stage looks away from the pitch.

Welcome to The Athletic’s 2026 World Cup tactical group guides, walking you through the key battles on the pitch, the players to look out for, and the fun facts to impress your friends ahead of the tournament.

The Bay Area’s Algerian population is gearing up as the region plays host to a series of World Cup soccer matches — especially one that will bring the Algerian national team to Santa Clara to play Jordan on June 22.

The greatest team to never win a World Cup, the world is waiting for the Dutch to play clutch; coach Koeman blasted their last performance as "too nice"

The next breakout story is always waiting around the corner. For Algeria, there is growing belief that Ibrahim Maza could be the one.

Rejected twice by Algeria's only elite academy because of his height, the Wolfsburg forward has become the Desert Foxes' talisman

Netherlands Vs Algeria Highlights, International Friendly 2026: Algeria defeat Netherlands 1-0 through a late goal. Check real-time updates of the NED vs ALG exhibition match at the De Kuip in Rotterdam,