Morocco Women’s Football Derby: Algerian Media Controversy

30 July 2026 – byJérôme · 2 min read

Just hours before the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations derby, several Algerian media outlets replaced Morocco in their headlines with a surprising formula: the "host country". In their articles, however, they acknowledge the difficulty of the match against the Lionesses of the Atlas.

Morocco faces Algeria this Thursday evening at 9 p.m. at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, for the second day of the group stage of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. A highly anticipated derby, but one that some Algerian media chose to present without directly naming the kingdom.

On Bladi.net : Morocco vs Algeria Women’s CAN: Crucial Derby in Rabat

Ennahar Online thus announces that Algerian players will face "the selection of the host country". The media does mention Morocco in the body of its article, but makes it disappear from the headline.

The same choice on the Echorouk side. The Algerian daily publishes a first article titled "The Greens on a mission to confirm against the host country’s selection", then repeats the exact same expression in a second piece devoted to statements by coach Farid Benstiti.

However, this choice is not shared by all Algerian press. Competition.dz clearly displays "Morocco-Algeria" in its headline, while describing the Moroccan women as representatives of the "host country".

Morocco disappears from the headline, not from the danger

In the content of their articles, Algerian media do not hide the difficulty of the match. Ennahar recalls that the Lionesses of the Atlas will benefit from home advantage and the support of their public. Echorouk relays coach Farid Benstiti’s comments, who presents Morocco as an extremely difficult opponent.

Competition.dz even speaks of a "true test" for the Algerian women against a Moroccan selection that was finalist in the last two editions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The media also highlights the Lionesses of the Atlas’ performance against Kenya, beaten 4-0 in the first day.

On Bladi.net : The Algerian team will return to Morocco for the CAN

Algeria also arrives in confidence after their 2-0 victory against Senegal. Both selections have three points and the winner of this derby will take a serious option on qualification for the quarter-finals, as well as on first place in the group.

Category: Sport

Keywords:

Football Africa Cup of Nations Algeria Press Media Atlas Lionesses