Algeria have won only two of their last seven meetings with Sudan, the pair drawing 0-0 at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium during the FIFA Arab Cup earlier this month.
Algeria vs Sudan preview
Fair to say, Algeria's recent Africa Cup of Nations record is, at best, mixed, so what will they produce at this edition? Back in 2019, the Desert Foxes won this tournament for the first time in 29 years, with Baghdad Bounedjah's second minute goal enough to defeat Senegal in the final in Cairo. Since then however, the Greens have not so much as won a single AFCON match, crashing out in the group stages on both occasions, suffering defeats against Equatorial Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire and Mauritania.
Since the latter of these ignominious early exits, Algeria have qualified for a first World Cup since 2014, thereby set to face Argentina, Jordan and Austria stateside next June. Well, if manager Vladimir Petković wants to still be in charge by the time the World Cup comes around, he needs to lead the Fennecs to an elongated run in neighbouring Morocco this month. Here, most expect Algeria to cruise to victory in their tournament opener at Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Wednesday.
In contrast, this will be Sudan's tenth AFCON appearance, but six of these came pre-1976. Since returning to the competition in 2008, the Falcons of Jediane reached the 2012 quarter-finals, winning a first Cup of Nations match since they picked up the title in 1970. Last time they featured in 2022 however, Sudan held Guinea-Bissau to a goalless draw but were then beaten by both Nigeria and Egypt, thereby eliminated in the group stages.
To reach this tournament, James Kwesi Appiah's side qualified at the expense of Niger and Ghana, most-notably beating the World Cup-bound Black Stars 2-0 in October last year. Nevertheless, Sudan are expected to finish bottom of Group E, with Algeria likely to pick up three points in Rabāṭ.
Algeria vs Sudan head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 8.
- Algeria Wins: 3. Draws: 3. Sudan Wins: 2.
Algeria team news
Vladimir Petković has not selected Algeria's all-time leading scorer Islam Slimani, but his squad features plenty of talent.
In goal, after making his international debut last month, Luca Zidane is expected to be donning the gloves; we don't need to tell you who his father is!
Out-field, Rayan Aït-Nouri has played just 317 minutes for Manchester City this season, but will start at left-back, with Houssem Aouar their creative force in midfield.
Algeria predicted lineup vs Sudan: (4-2-3-1): Zidane; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaïni, Aït-Nouri; Bennacer, Zerrouki, Aouar, Mahrez, Amoura, Hadj Moussa.
Algeria player to watch vs Sudan
Riyad Mahrez was the captain when Algeria won the 2019 AFCON, scoring a spectacular stoppage time equaliser to beat Nigeria in the semi-finals, possibly the best of his 34 international goals, so can the 34 year old show his quality here?
Sudan team news
In contrast, only one member of James Kwesi Appiah's squad plays in Europe, namely Sheddy Barglan of Den Bosch, while 16 of them are based domestically.
The majority though were involved in the FIFA Arab Cup earlier this month, at which they finished bottom of their group, with Yaser Muzamel the only Sudanese player to net in Qatar.
Meantime, fellow forward Mohamed Eisa played for numerous EFL clubs, including Cheltenham, Bristol City, Peterborough and Exeter, now plying his trade in Thailand with Uthai Thani.
Sudan predicted lineup vs Algeria: (4-4-2): Abouja; Khamis, Karshoum, Ering, Tabanja; Taifour, Khedr, Muzamel, Abdalla; Eisa, Abdelrahman.
Sudan player to watch vs Algeria
Veteran striker Mohamed Abdelrahman has 23 international goals to his name, chasing down Nasr El-Din Abbas national record of 27 that has stood since 1972, so can he add to his tally?
Algeria vs Sudan prediction
We fully expect Algeria to cruise to victory in this one, likely to swat minnows Sudan aside in this Group E opener at Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Christmas Eve: Algeria 3-0 Sudan.
Algeria vs Sudan FAQs - Africa Cup of Nations
How to watch Algeria vs Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations on TV channel?
Algeria vs Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: 4seven
- USA: beIN SPORTS, fuboTV & Fanatiz USA
- Canada: beIN Sports Canada, fuboTV Canada & Fanatiz Canada
How to watch Algeria vs Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations on live streaming?
Algeria vs Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Channel4.com & Channel 4 Sport YouTube
- USA: beIN SPORTS CONNECT & fuboTV
- Canada: beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada & fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Algeria vs Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations?
Algeria vs Sudan takes place on Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24 December 2025, with kick off at 15:00 (GMT), 10:00 (ET) & 7:00 (PT).