Algeria began their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a commanding 3-0 away victory over Somalia on October 10, 2025. The Desert Foxes demonstrated their superior quality and experience in a one-sided CAF group stage match, taking control early and never relenting. The Algerian attack was relentless from the start, opening the scoring within the first fifteen minutes through a precise low shot. They added a second before the half-hour mark, capitalizing on a defensive mistake, and effectively sealed the match before halftime. Somalia struggled to create any meaningful chances against a disciplined Algerian defense. The visitors added a third goal in the second half to put a definitive stamp on the performance. This result immediately put Algeria top of their qualifying group, sending a strong message to their rivals, while Somalia faced an uphill battle after a heavy opening defeat. The Algerian manager expressed satisfaction with the professional performance, while his Somali counterpart acknowledged the gulf in class and the need for improvement.