Mahrez fires Algeria up for must-win World Cup clash with Austria

Algeria’s captain Riyad Mahrez delivered a pre-match rally before the nation’s must-win World Cup 2026 qualifier against Austria. The 35-year-old winger told his teammates to forget the numbers and play only for victory, framing the game as a historic chance to keep Algeria’s tournament hopes alive. The speech, broadcast to the squad and fans, underscored the blend of veteran poise and youthful hunger that could decide a high-pressure group-stage encounter.