Algeria have never gotten past the group stage in any of their three previous World Cup appearances in 1982, 1986, and 2010 and will likely find it to be an uphill battle to progress in Brazil, having been grouped with Belgium, Japan, and Russia.
Still, the team's supporters will be hoping for a good showing as they hope to recover from disappointing performances during the African Cup of Nations that saw them finishing fourth in 2010, fail to qualify in 2012 and finish bottom of their group in 2013.
Nonetheless, they were able to secure passage to Brazil by defeating 2013 African Cup of Nations runners-up Burkina Faso thanks to the away goals rule, so they have already indicated that they are more than capable of pulling off an upset at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, no matter how slim chances may look.
Algeria sealed their spot with a hard-fought win over Burkina Faso, but have a tough group ahead
Here was the 30-man provisional squad:
Goalkeepers: Rais M’bolhi, Mohamed Zemmamouche, Ezzdine Doukha, Mohamed Cdric
Defenders: Essaid Belkalem, Madjid Bougherra, Lyassine Cadamuro, Faouzi Ghoulam, Rafik Halliche, Nacereddine Khoualed, Aissa Mandi Mehdi Mostefa, Carl Medjani, Djamel Mesbah
Midfielders: Nabil Bentaleb, Ryad Boudebouz, Yacine Brahimi, Adlene Guedioura, Amir Karaoui, Medhi Lacen, Saphir Taider, Hassen Yebda
Forwards: Rafik Djebour, Abdelmoumen Djabou, Sofiane Feghouli, Ryad Mahrez, Islam Slimani, Hilal Soudani, Foued Kadir, Nabil Ghilas
Not surprisingly, the vast majority of players selected are based abroad, with several plying their trades in the Premier League, Ligue 1, La Liga, and Serie A. Manager Vahid Halilhodzic will be relying on the 23 men that made the final cut.
Algeria's 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Rais Mbolhi, Cedric Si Mohamed, Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche
Defenders: Essaid Belkalem, Madjid Bougherra, Liassine Cadamuro, Faouzi Ghoulam, Rafik Halliche , Aissa Mandi, Carl Medjani, Djamel Mesbah, Mehdi Mostefa
Midfielders: Nabil Bentaleb, Yacine Brahimi, Abdelmoumene Djabou, Sofiane Feghouli, Mehdi Lacen, Riyad Mahrez, Saphir Taider, Hassan Yebda
