photo by: AP Photo/ Patrick Post

Algeria players celebrate after Algeria's Anis Hadj Moussa scored his side's opening goal during the international friendly soccer match between Netherlands and Algeria in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

Lawrence is officially a World Cup city. For the moment, though, it is a relatively quiet one.

The Algerian national team arrived in Lawrence shortly after midnight on Monday morning, greeted by thunderstorms and law enforcement personnel both from Lawrence and Topeka to escort the team to its Lawrence hotel, according to information from the Lawrence Police Department.

The Associated Press reported that the team — which has made Lawrence its base camp for its World Cup run — was scheduled to have its first practice at Rock Chalk Park on Monday. Officials with Score Lawrence — the multi-agency group organizing local World Cup activity — weren’t willing to confirm any practice details to the Journal-World on Monday. In fact, it is not clear that any of the Algerian team’s practices at KU’s Rock Chalk Park in northwest Lawrence will be open to the public, based on the limited information ScoreLawrence has thus far made available.

Lawrence officials have spent time and money over the last two years to become eligible to serve as a base camp for a World Cup team, with the idea that soccer fans would come to the city if a World Cup team was based here and practiced here.

That’s still the general idea of how Lawrence will benefit from one of the world’s largest sporting events. But as international travel to the U.S. has become complicated amid concerns about immigration enforcement, and as prices for the World Cup have exceeded many expectations, how many visitors Lawrence should expect has become a guessing game.

“We’re not really sure. It is uncharted waters for us,” said Ryan Owens, general manager of Jock’s Nitch, which was advertising Algerian and World Cup T-shirts in its downtown store window on Monday.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

The entrance to Rock Chalk Park’s soccer stadium is pictured on June 8, 2026.

There was some reason for optimism during the team’s low-key arrival early Monday morning. Despite the team asking that no big public welcome ceremony be conducted for its arrival, there were several loud and enthusiastic fans who have a connection to Algeria that braved the weather and the early morning timeframe to see the team arrive.

“We didn’t know they were going to do that,” Kim Anspach, executive director of Explore Lawrence, said.

Anspach said her organization, which serves as the community’s convention and visitors bureau, has been reaching out to U.S. and other North American communities that are known to have sizable Algerian populations. Anspach said she does think that Lawrence will be a visitor destination for some Algerian soccer fans who live elsewhere in the U.S. Anspach was hesitant to make an estimate of how large the visitor base may be, but she is encouraged by how passionate Algerian fans are about their team and the sport.

“They are very excited,” Anspach said. “Soccer really is a part of their identity.”

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

A soccer goal is shown on the infield of the track and field stadium at Rock Chalk Park on June 8, 2026.

At Rock Chalk Park on Monday afternoon, signs that soccer excitement was coming to the complex were popping up. A handful of World Cup signs had been placed near the entrance to KU’s soccer stadium, where the team will hold its primary practices. Some soccer goals also were visible on the infield of the adjacent KU track and field stadium. However, much of the primary practice area was shielded from public view by a plastic wrap that had been placed on the exterior fencing of the soccer stadium.

Across the street at the Stone Hill Hotel — the closest lodging to the practice site — a hotel employee said that at least one Algerian soccer fan was staying at the hotel. But the employee also said the hotel still had a significant number of vacancies for the World Cup season, and was uncertain how much the Algerian team would impact the hotel’s business.

No matter their numbers, Algerian fans do have reason to be excited. The team — known as the Desert Foxes — pulled off an upset last week against Netherlands, another World Cup team. The two squads competed in a match ahead of World Cup play, and the underdog Algerian team pulled off a 1-0 upset of the Dutch team in Rotterdam.

Just days later, Algeria’s coach — Vladimir Petkovic, a former Swiss national coach who is credited with making Algeria one of the top teams in Africa — was given a contract extension through 2028.

The Algerian team may get another chance to boost its confidence before World Cup play begins — and it actually might occur in Lawrence. Algerian journalists report that Algeria is scheduled to play an exhibition match against Bolivia on Wednesday. The location of the match has not been announced, but speculation in Lawrence is that the contest will be held at Rock Chalk Park. However, reports out of Algeria and Bolivia indicate that the match is expected to be closed to the public.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

Algerian t-shirts and other World Cup gear is pictured at the Jock’s Nitch in downtown Lawrence on June 8, 2026.

Of course, Algerian fans aren’t the only way that Lawrence might benefit from the World Cup. Owens said Lawrence businesses have plenty of experience in hosting watch parties for major sporting events. With ticket prices for World Cup games in nearby Kansas City still above the budgets of many fans, downtown Lawrence could become a prime watch party location based on its history of throwing a good party.

“I could see downtown buzzing because we have hosted a lot of watch parties over the years,” Owens said. “Tickets to the games are really expensive, but you could have a watch party downtown. It could be a little bit like March Madness.”

Lawrence tourism leaders definitely are sharing in that mindset. Anspach said the first date that local residents should circle on their calendars is Friday evening. Score Lawrence will be hosting a kickoff party in the 1000 block of Massachusetts Street, which is in front of the Granada music venue. The party, which begins at 5 p.m., coincides with the USA vs. Paraguay match that begins at 8 p.m.

In addition to a 20-foot screen to view the game, the event also will feature live music, local vendors, food and a general street party theme. It is the first of six official Score Lawrence events that will take place in June and July. All community members and visitors are invited to attend. Anspach said security requirements do mean that anyone entering the event with a bag will need to ensure that the bag is clear so that security personnel can do a proper inspection.

Other events include a watch party at 3 p.m. on June 16, which is when Algeria opens World Cup play against defending champion Argentina in Kansas City. Lawrence’s watch party will include the game being shown on the big screen of Liberty Hall in downtown Lawrence.

“It is really exciting,” Anspach said of the start of the tournament. “We have been thinking about it and working on it for a long time, and now it is go time. We are excited to showcase our community.”

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

A sign in downtown Lawrence on June 8, 2026 welcomes Algerian visitors.