Algeria have so far only featured in two world cups. These were the 1982 Spain World Cup and the 1986 Mexico World Cup. On both occasions the Algerian team has failed to qualify past the first round.

The Algerian record at the World Cup is Played 6, Won 2, Drawn 1, Lost 3.http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/team/history?id=624&ver=global&cc=5739 Quite amazingly the only win Algeria have had was versus West Germany in a 2-1 win on June 16, 1982. At the El Molinon Stadium, Gijon, Spain and in front of 25,000 fans, Algeria caused one of the biggest shocks in World Cup History.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/history/newsid_2006000/2006702.stm In a group with Austria and Chile the Algerians still failed to qualify past the first round. Algeria did manage to beat Chile 3-2 but lost to Austria 2-0. Algeria were eliminated from the 1982 World Cup based on goal difference.

In the Mexico World Cup of 1986, Algeria managed just one point from 3 games. Algeria opened up the campaign with a 1-1 draw versus Northern Ireland but then lost 1-0 to Brazil and 3-0 to Spain.

Algeria failed to qualify for the 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 or 2006 World Cup Finals. Algeria's record scorer at the World Cup is Salah Assad who scored 2 goals in 1982.http://search.intelius.com/Salah-Assad

Algeria's qualification for the World Cup was largely unexpected. It is the countries first qualification since 1986. Algeria were in the same qualifying group as Egypt who are the highest ranked FIFA African country and had won the African Cup of Nations on the last 3 occasions (2006, 2008 and 2010). In a group that also featured Zambia and Rwanda, Algeria qualified with a won 5, drew 1, lost 1 record.http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/africa/standings/index.html Algeria clinched qualification with a 1-0 victory versus Egypt on November 18, 2009.

Algeria fans are not generally optimistic about there chances of progressing past the group stage of the World Cup.http://algeria.worldcupblog.org/ In Group C Algeria will play against England, USA and Slovenia. Qualification past the group stage would definitely be seen as a successful World Cup for the team. This would be Algeria's first World Cup ever they had progressed past the group stage, if achieved.

Some Soccer Analysts believe that the World Cup being hosted in Africa will raise the game of all the African teams and Algeria may play better as a result.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8385612.stm

Algeria's star players are below true world class level but they do have some well respected international players. Nadir Belhadj plays for Portsmouth in the English FA Premiership and is a much sought after defender who has over 40 Algerian caps. Antar Yahia is a rock in the Algeria defence and plays for German Bundesliga team Bochum, Yahia has 40+ caps to his name. Winger Karim Ziani is undoubtedly the squad's star player. Ziani has 50+ caps and plays for Wolfsburg, German league champions and Champions League qualifiers. Goal scoring appears to be Algeria's main concern. Abdelkader Ghezzal who plays for Italian Serie A side will need to be in top form if Algeria are to progress past the first stage.

Algeria's chances of progressing through the group stage seems slim. Algeria start as the outsiders in Group C, but it is possible they can qualify with luck and good performances.