An elderly Kansas native went viral after telling El Heddaf TV he wanted to “say thank you” to Algeria for choosing Lawrence, where the team is based for the World Cup. Algeria arrived Sunday night, drew more than 300 supporters, and will begin Group J play ag
When the Algerian National Team arrived in Lawrence, Kansas on Sunday night, the greeting didn’t just look big — it felt personal.
For one elderly man, the moment was so meaningful he paused to speak directly to Algerian sports television channel El Heddaf TV. “I want to say thank you to Algeria for choosing our hometown Lawrence, Kansas,” he said. “Welcome to the United States. Welcome to Kansas.”
He stood among fellow supporters at the DoubleTree hotel where the squad had arrived and where it will stay throughout the tournament. His gratitude came with simple. sincere details about his country’s geography and life timeline. even as he admitted he didn’t know everything about Algeria. Asked what he knew about the team’s home nation. he said. “We just know that Algeria is on the Mediterranean Sea and then the south part is in the Sahara desert. ” adding. “And I know that it gained independence from France around the same time that I was born. So, we don’t know too much but we still want to welcome you here.”.
That warmth — and the plain joy behind it — spread fast online across the United States.
Lawrence itself is small by global standards but proud in its own way: the town sits on the outskirts of Kansas City and has a population of 96,700. Algeria has made it its homebase for the World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday and will run through summer across the US, Canada and Mexico.
The timing matters. Lawrence will host Algeria between Group J matches against reigning champions Argentina, Austria and Jordan.
Support for the Algerians has also come from fans who tie their enthusiasm to recognizable football names. One young supporter explained his own motivation by pointing to Riyad Mahrez, the Algerian captain and former Manchester City star. “I just love to support them because if they want to come to Lawrence then we’ll support them. We want them to win and go far,” he said.
The arrival was met with a crowd of more than 300 people as the team pulled into its Lawrence hotel. KMBC News reported that Algeria touched down at Kansas City International Airport after 10 pm local time and was escorted to Lawrence by the Lawrence Police Department (LPD) and other assisting agencies.
Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart described the logistics as a major undertaking. “Doing an escort that large and that far takes a lot of moving parts. and so it went really well. ” he told the outlet. “We were really happy to get everybody here safely and had about 300 fans here welcoming the team.”.
As the month of movement begins, Lawrence police say they will remain closely involved. Lockhart said his department will handle local transfers “from the hotels to the practice facility and then also from the hotel or practice facility up to Arrowhead for games.” For the wider route toward the stadium. he added. there will be support from Topeka partners. the Kansas Highway Patrol and Olathe.
The town’s pride has shown in decoration as well. Lawrence has reportedly been decorated in green, red and white, with Algerian flags flying from local stores and bars.
Algeria’s World Cup opener comes quickly. The defending champions’ Group J clash is scheduled for June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, in nearby Kansas City.
Between those matches, Lawrence’s welcome will be more than a headline — it’s a base camp held together by a crowd that chose, loudly and clearly, to cheer for a team arriving from across the world.
Algeria National Team Lawrence Kansas World Cup 2026 El Heddaf TV Riyad Mahrez Arrowhead Stadium Group J Argentina Austria Jordan Kansas City International Airport Rich Lockhart