Sports are a big part of Algerian culture and various popular sports that Algerians enjoy. Football (soccer) is by far the most popular sport in Algeria and is played by men and women of all ages. Basketball, volleyball, and handball are popular sports, as well as track and field. Algerians also enjoy watching and betting on horse racing.
Algeria has a rich sporting history and has produced many world-class athletes. Some of the most famous Algerian athletes include Hassiba Boulmerka, an Olympic gold medalist in the 1500 meters; Nawal El Moutawakel, the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal; and Saïd Aouita, a world-record holder in the 1500 meters.
Algeria has a strong sporting infrastructure, with many well-equipped stadiums and facilities. The Algerian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Algeria and is responsible for the organization of the sport at all levels. The federation organizes the Algerian national football team and the country’s domestic leagues and competitions.
The Algerian national football team has been very successful, winning the African Cup of Nations in 1990 and 2019. The team has also qualified for five FIFA World Cups, including their most recent appearance in 2018.
About Algeria
Algeria is officially known as the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. It is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. Bordered by Tunisia to the northeast, Libya to the east, Niger to the southeast, Mali to the southwest, Mauritania and Western Sahara to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Algeria is the largest country in Africa with an area of 2,381,741 square kilometers (919,595 square miles). As of 2019, it has a population of 42 million people.
The capital and most populous city is Algiers, located on the Mediterranean coast in the country’s far north. With an estimated population of 3.5 million people as of 2018, it is the sixth-largest city in Africa. Other large cities include Oran in the west, Constantine in the east, and Annaba in the northeast. The country’s name derives from the city of Algiers.
The government of Algeria is a semi-presidential republic consisting of an executive branch headed by the President and a legislative branch composed of an elected National Assembly and an appointed Senate. The President is the head of state and the Algerian Armed Forces commander-in-chief. The Prime Minister is the head of government.