photo by: City of Lawrence

This piece of pottery was given to the Lawrence City Commission by the Algerian ambassador as thanks for welcoming the country's national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

As the City of Lawrence welcomed the Algerian men’s national team this week for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it also got an Algerian keepsake to remember the moment by – an ornate piece of pottery.

The plate was on display for part of the City Commission’s meeting on Tuesday night, where Mayor Brad Finkeldei said it was a gift from the North African nation’s ambassador: “A thank-you to our community for supporting Algeria.”

Finkeldei said the ambassador came to town to see Team Algeria’s home base, and that the diplomat said Lawrence was the talk of the Algerian internet already.

“He says that everyone in Algeria and their social media is talking about Lawrence,” Finkeldei said.

That includes looking up Lawrence’s weather, which he noted may have given the visitors a surprise during the overnight storms on Monday and early Tuesday. “We think they might have had their first tornado warning ever last night,” Finkeldei said.

“Welcome to Lawrence,” Commissioner Kristine Polian said. “Just hang on; it probably will get even more fun.”