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‘Thank you, Lawrence’: Algeria’s World Cup run ends, but new bonds remain

by Jacob Rice
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Young spectators watch through the railing at the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match at the watch party outside of the Granda, July 2, 2026. Algeria ultimately lost 2-0 in the round of 32.
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New and longtime Algeria fans showed up to support the team at watch parties in downtown Lawrence Thursday evening, though the team’s World Cup run came to an end.

Though the game didn’t go as hoped with Algeria falling 2-0 to Switzerland, a small group of fans still showed their appreciation for the welcome the town has shown the team, chanting “Thank you, Lawrence,” as people exited watch parties inside and outside the Granada.

Algeria held its base camp in Lawrence and quickly became the town’s newest home team.

Team USA is still in the tournament. USA will face Belgium at 7 p.m. Monday, July 6 in the round of 16.

Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times An Algeria fan cheers during a group photo in front of a “Thank You Lawrence” banner.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Attendees of the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match watch party in downtown Lawrence wave to a drone during a group photo in front of a “Thank You Lawrence” banner.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Attendees of the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match watch party in downtown Lawrence wave to a drone during a group photo in front of a “Thank You Lawrence” banner.
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Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Devi Arkeketa dressed as Team Algeria’s mascot, the Fennec Fox, for the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match watch party.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Djamila Iabadene holds an Algerian flag in front of her Algeria temporary tattoo prior to the watch party for the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Younes Azladji wears an Algerian flag draped around his back prior to the watch party for the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Younes Azladji wears an Algerian flag draped around his back prior to the watch party for the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times An Algeria fan’s scarf hangs over their shoulder.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Chris Burger and John Knechtenhofer play the Swiss Alphorn prior to the start of the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Chris Burger plays the Swiss Alphorn prior to the start of the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times John Knechtenhofer plays the Swiss Alphorn prior to the start of the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Youtube streamer Hichen “H2” Hamidi (right) poses with a Michael Jackson impersonator prior to the start of the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Community members gather outside of the Granada prior to the start of the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times An Algeria fan waves a flag prior to the start of the match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times An Algeria fan hypes up the crowd prior to the match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times An Algeria fan hypes up the crowd prior to the match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times A young Algeria fan waves an Algerian flag prior to the match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Spectators await the start of the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match outside of the Granada.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Spectators await the start of the match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Djamila Iabadene (left) cheers ahead of the match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Spectators gather outside of the Granada prior to the match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Madjid Hadjsaid arrives to the watch party holding an Algerian flag.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Algeria fans cheer prior to the match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times An Algeria fan cheers prior to the match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Algeria fans cheer ahead of the match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Spectators watch the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match at the watch party outside of the Granda.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Dany Dahmani bites his nails while watching the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match watch party outside of the Granda.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times A young spectator watches the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Spectators watch the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match at the watch party inside the Granda.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Spectators watch the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match at the watch party inside of the Granda.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Signage of the Granada during the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match watch party.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times A young spectator stands at the railing watching the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match at the watch party outside of the Granda.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Community members gather outside of the Granda to watch the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Algeria fans stand above the crowd, one waving an Algerian flag, during the match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times An Algeria fan stands above the crowd while watching the match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Community members watch the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match at the Granada watch party.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Algeria fans chant “Thank you, Lawrence,” after the conclusion of the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times Algeria fans chant “Thank you, Lawrence,” after the conclusion of the Algeria vs. Switzerland World Cup match.

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Jacob Rice (he/him), photo editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since March 2026. He can be reached at [email protected].

Read his complete bio here. Check out his photography for the Times here. Read his articles for the Times at this link. 

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