Algerian disdain targets "Salami's team."

Algerian coach Nourredine Zekri made controversial statements regarding the upcoming match between the Algerian national team and its Jordanian counterpart, as part of the 2026 World Cup finals hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Social media platforms witnessed a wide spread of a video clip documenting Nourredine Zekri's statements, which were made during a live broadcast on TikTok.

Zekri downplayed the significance of the "Nashama," considering that the comparison between the two teams is unfair due to the technical differences that favor the Desert Warriors.

Zekri went further by describing the match as predetermined, stating that if the Algerian national team fails to win against Jordan, it would be necessary for Algerians to retire from football permanently.

He added that the level of the Jordanian national team does not match that of Algeria, emphasizing that the two sides cannot be placed on the same competitive level.

This provocative media statement comes amid both teams being in the same group in the World Cup, alongside Argentina and Austria, and these remarks add extra pressure to the match, especially since the Jordanian team is led by Moroccan coach Jamal Salami, who seeks to respond on the field to the belittlement of his national team in the global arena.