The Algerian national football team faces a strong crisis regarding its attempts to terminate the contractual relationship with Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic, following its elimination from the 2026 World Cup competitions.
The Algerian national team bid farewell to the 2026 World Cup competitions with a 2-0 loss to Switzerland in the round of 32 at "BC Place" stadium, delivering a poor performance contrary to expectations.
Algeria's coach threatens to resort to FIFA
According to what a newspaper mentioned, the Algerian Football Federation will face a major "financial" dilemma if Petkovic's dismissal is officially announced, due to the penalty clause in his contract.
Petkovic was previously appointed coach of the Algerian national team in February 2024, and with the Greens he reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the round of 32 of the current World Cup, but he was eliminated against Switzerland.
Vladimir Petkovic receives a monthly salary of about 160 thousand euros, after extending his contract and increasing his previous salary which was 135 thousand euros, a few weeks before the start of the World Cup.
The problem facing Algeria is that the 62-year-old Swiss coach does not intend to make any financial concessions to end the contractual relationship with the "Greens".
Dismissing Petkovic will cost the Algerian Football Federation's treasury about 5 million euros, a huge sum that the Swiss coach looks forward to receiving if his dismissal is confirmed.
For its part, the Algerian Football Federation confirms that the Swiss coach's contract includes a clause allowing amicable termination of the contract in exchange for paying two months' salary, i.e. 320 thousand euros, which is much less than the mentioned 5 million euros.
Despite that, Petkovic refuses to recognize this clause and threatens to resort to FIFA, in order to obtain his dues from the Algerian Football Federation.
