The Algeria national football team is facing political and media pressure before the FIFA World Cup 2026, as it prepares to play against Argentina in its first match. This comes as the team is being warned by far-right French MPs, who fear riots and disorder. French MP Julien Odoul has warned of the potential for mass celebrations and violence during Algeria and Morocco's matches, in a move that has reminded many of previous campaigns targeting Algerians whenever their team achieves positive results in international competitions. Activists consider the parliamentary question to be a political attempt to link Maghrebi communities to violence and riots, despite the fact that the French authorities themselves have stated that the vandalism that occurs during large gatherings cannot be reduced to the fans of a particular team or community. It is worth noting that Julien Odoul has previously targeted the Algeria national football team and its fans, having published a post in which he explicitly wished for the team's defeat in order to stop celebrations in Paris. Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez responded to the French MP in his own way, publishing a sarcastic message saying: "This foul is dedicated to you, Julien Odoul, we are together". This comes as part of a larger campaign led by the National Rally party and its leader Marine Le Pen against Algerian fans who were celebrating their team's victories in various French cities.