This Friday, 16 October in Rabat, the Algerian national futsal team faces Zambia with just one point from two matches. A win would allow them to overtake their direct rivals and dream of a historic qualification for the semi-finals, with national team coach Nordine Benamrouche at the helm.
Algeria play this Friday, 16 October 2026, at 20:00, a decisive match against Zambia for a historic place in the semi-finals of the 2026 Futsal AFCON, according to Afrik-Foot. In their first-ever appearance in the final phase of the competition, the national team, with only one point from two games, must win to overtake their direct rivals.
The match will be broadcast live on Arryadia and on CAF TV. The opening lines of Algeria’s adventure were written through two contrasting results: a heavy 4-0 defeat to Morocco, the host country and three-time reigning champions, followed by a spectacular 2-2 draw with Libya, after having trailed 0-2.
One point, one hope
Algeria’s record in Group A is fragile: one point from two matches, according to Afrik-Foot. Zambia, for their part, beat Libya 3-1 on the opening day before falling to Morocco. Morocco now top the group with two wins and are in pole position for qualification, Le360 Sport reports.
A win against Zambia would allow the Algerians to overtake their direct rivals and hope for qualification to the semi-finals, again according to Afrik-Foot. A major challenge for a team discovering the final phase of the Futsal AFCON.
Benamrouche faces the Zambian challenge
National team coach Nordine Benamrouche must build on his team’s fightback. Against Libya, Algeria scored two goals after having trailed 0-2, whereas the opening defeat to Morocco had seen his side concede four goals without scoring.
Against Zambia, the national team will therefore need to win to overtake their direct rivals, who have already beaten Libya and lost to Morocco. The match takes place in a group stage where every point still counts for qualification.
Rabat, host of the group stage
The match is being played in Rabat, where the group stage of this edition organised in Morocco concludes, between the Moulay Abdellah and Ibn Yassine halls, Afrik-Foot reports. Kick-off is set for 20:00 local time.
The top three nations of this AFCON will secure their ticket to the FIFA Futsal World Cup, according to CAF. For Algeria, victory against Zambia remains the first condition for hoping for a place in the semi-finals and, from there, influencing this race for the World Cup.