[Saba Sports News] Algeria will take on Bolivia in a friendly match in Kansas City early Thursday morning. The game will be played behind closed doors with no live broadcast and no media access.
The decision is made out of security concerns, as all teams are stepping up final preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The Algerian national team arrived in Kansas City on Monday evening and was greeted by crowds of fans at the airport. Warm welcomes were also arranged in Lawrence, Kansas, where the team has set up its base. Players including Amine Gouiri of Marseille will hold training sessions at Rock Chalk Park near the University of Kansas.
After their opening fixture against defending champions Argentina, Algeria will face Jordan on June 24 and Austria on June 29. This marks Algeria’s fifth World Cup appearance. Their best performance came in the 2014 tournament, when they reached the Round of 16.
In my view, playing the warm-up behind closed doors serves multiple purposes, including keeping tactics confidential, minimizing external distractions and preserving players’ form. It is a well-considered strategy formulated jointly by the coaching staff and the Algerian Football Federation.