Algeria part ways with coach Vladimir Petkovic after World Cup last-32 exit
The Algerian Football Federation announced the mutual termination of Vladimir Petkovic's contract on Monday, one month after the team's round-of-32 elimination by Switzerland at the 2026 World Cup.
Mutual termination announced
Algeria and head coach Vladimir Petkovic have parted ways by mutual agreement, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) confirmed on Monday evening. The decision comes one month after the team's elimination from the 2026 World Cup in North America, where they reached the round of 32 before losing 2-0 to Switzerland. The 62-year-old Bosnian-born, Swiss-naturalised coach had been in charge since early 2024 and had signed a contract extension until 2028 only two months before the tournament began.
The Algerian Football Federation announce that their contractual relationship with the national team head coach, Mr. Vladimir Petkovic, and his coaching staff has officially come to an end today, on a mutual agreement between the two parties.
Petkovic's record in charge
Petkovic took over from Djamel Belmadi in February or March 2024 and oversaw 33 matches, recording 23 wins, 5 draws and 5 defeats. That record included successful qualification for the expanded 48-team World Cup, Algeria's first appearance at the finals since 2014. Despite the respectable overall numbers, the federation and coach agreed to terminate the contract early after back-to-back tournament disappointments.
- Wins
- 23 matches
- Draws
- 5 matches
- Losses
- 5 matches
Tournament setbacks
The first blow came at the Africa Cup of Nations in early 2026, where Algeria were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Nigeria, losing 2-0. At the World Cup, the team advanced from the group stage as one of the best eight third-placed sides after a 3-0 defeat to Argentina, a 2-1 win over Jordan and a 3-3 draw with Austria. Their campaign ended in the round of 32 with a 2-0 loss to Switzerland, a match in which Petkovic's tactical choices were widely criticised in the Algerian media.
- Appointed Algeria head coach, succeeding Djamel Belmadi
- Algeria eliminated in AFCON quarter-finals by Nigeria (2-0)
- Signs contract extension until 2028 ahead of World Cup
- World Cup group stage: 0-3 vs Argentina, 2-1 vs Jordan, 3-3 vs Austria; advance as best third-placed team
- Round of 32 exit, losing 2-0 to Switzerland
- Mutual termination announced by Algerian Football Federation
What comes next
The FAF has not yet named a successor. Algeria's immediate focus shifts to qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in September. They have been drawn in Group I alongside Zambia, Togo and Burundi.
Petkovic's background
Before taking the Algeria job, Petkovic had never coached a national team. He previously managed Switzerland, eliminating France in the round of 16 at Euro 2020, and had a brief club spell at Bordeaux in 2021-2022. His earlier club career included a stint at Young Boys.
