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Algeria, Austria Meet in Kansas City; Draw Keeps Austria Second

6/27/2026

Summary

Algeria Challenges Austria

Algeria and Austria will meet in Kansas City on June 27, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET.
Both have three points; Austria’s goal difference is 0 versus Algeria’s –2, so a draw puts Austria second and Algeria into a best-third spot.
Ilgiz Tantashev will referee as Algeria fields Ibrahim Maza, Riyad Mahrez and Amine Gouiri while Austria starts Marko Arnautovic, Kevin Danso and David Alaba.
Coach Vladimir Petkovic may add Nabil Bentaleb and Nadhir Benbouali after his halftime change helped Algeria beat Jordan.

Summary

FIFA Enforces Simultaneous

The match has revived the 1982 “Disgrace of Gijon,” when Austria and West Germany’s result knocked out Algeria.
FIFA now requires simultaneous kick-offs for final group fixtures to prevent collusion.
Media and fans have labeled the game the possible “Disgrace of Kansas City.”
Coaches Ralf Rangnick and Vladimir Petkovic and players Nabil Bentaleb and Konrad Laimer denied any draw-settling plan and said they will focus on winning.

Summary

Austria Draws

A draw between Austria and Algeria could separate them because the 2026 World Cup uses head-to-head results as the primary tiebreaker.
Both teams can still reach the knockout round as one of the eight best third-placed teams in the 48-team field.
Match starts at 9 p.m. CT (10 p.m. ET) on June 28, with Austria meeting Spain in Los Angeles on July 2 if it finishes second, or Egypt or Switzerland if it finishes third.

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Algeria Challenges Austria

Algeria and Austria will meet in Kansas City on June 27, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET.
Both have three points; Austria’s goal difference is 0 versus Algeria’s –2, so a draw puts Austria second and Algeria into a best-third spot.
Ilgiz Tantashev will referee as Algeria fields Ibrahim Maza, Riyad Mahrez and Amine Gouiri while Austria starts Marko Arnautovic, Kevin Danso and David Alaba.
Coach Vladimir Petkovic may add Nabil Bentaleb and Nadhir Benbouali after his halftime change helped Algeria beat Jordan.

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