On a drizzly day in Sydney’s Surry Hills, a gathering of supporters flocked to a cozy cafe adorned with Algeria’s green and white flag, all hoping to witness their team reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 12 years.
As greetings in French filled the air, small plastic cups of tea were distributed, and the aroma of spices wafted from the bustling kitchen.
An anxious atmosphere enveloped Cafe Tanja, where a defeat would mean the end of Algeria’s World Cup journey. Fans have long awaited a chance to face Austria, recalling the infamous 1982 match known as the “Usually I put the alarm on and watch the game early in the morning,” where Algeria was eliminated due to goal difference after West Germany’s win over Austria.
Abdou, a 25-year-old originally from France, settled at the back of the cafe. He had traveled to the World Cup in Los Angeles to see Algeria defeat Jordan and arrived in Australia just two days prior. He discovered Cafe Tanja through Instagram and was eager to join fellow countrymen for this crucial group game.
In a corner, 38-year-old Billy, who migrated from Algeria over a decade ago, was also present. A lifelong supporter of the national team, he has always been willing to sacrifice sleep for the sake of watching his beloved team play.
“This year we got lucky because we finally have good timing to watch all the games in Australia.” Billy shares. “I love the homemade food. It reminds me of my culture and my adjoining heritage.”
He further describes the cafe as “one, two, three, we love Algeria” and reconnect with his roots, adding, “We lost my brother four years ago,”
As the match commenced, the kitchen began to serve dishes, with spicy merguez sausages accompanied by potatoes and sauce in baguettes being distributed, much to the crowd’s delight. However, an early goal from Austria dampened the spirits.
Just before halftime, cheers erupted from the upper level, puzzling those below as the live stream lagged. After a brief wait, the goal was finally shown, prompting joyous celebrations and chants of “He left us some money and it was always my mum’s dream to open a cafe. And because I was living in Australia we wanted to do it here – we wanted to do something for our community.” that resonated throughout the cafe.
As halftime approached, more patrons arrived, filling the cafe to near capacity. The second half saw both teams score rapidly, resulting in a 2-2 tie that set the stage for a thrilling finish.
With only two minutes remaining, Riyad Mahrez, Algeria’s star player, found the net, igniting wild celebrations as fans turned stools into makeshift drums.
However, the exhilaration of the goal was short-lived, as Austria equalized in the final seconds. Despite the nail-biting draw of 3-3, laughter and cheers filled the air as Algeria advanced to the next round.
Sanah Djebli, 34, manages Cafe Tanja, which she runs with her family after moving to Australia over a decade ago. Reflecting on their journey, she states, “We lost my brother four years ago. He left us some money and it was always my mum’s dream to open a cafe. And because I was living in Australia, we wanted to do it here – we wanted to do something for our community.”
As the cafe began to empty, a sense of hope and excitement lingered in the air. The World Cup continues to unite Australia’s small Algerian community, with many bidding farewell and promising to return soon.
- World Cup 2026
- Australia sport
- Algeria football team
- Sydney
- features
