photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

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

The Algerian national soccer team, newly arrived in Lawrence as of Sunday night and with its preparations for the FIFA World Cup well underway, will host a “community training session” at Rock Chalk Park on Thursday.

The gates will open at 5 p.m. before the Algerian squad participates in drills for about an hour. The event will also include a youth clinic featuring members of the team.

However, all tickets for the event have already been issued, a Kansas Athletics spokesperson said, to community organizations such as local youth soccer teams. That means members of the general public will not be able to gain admittance unless they have already received them.

Algeria is bringing momentum into the World Cup after defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in an away match in Rotterdam on June 3. The Greens, as they are known, will play another friendly match against Bolivia on Wednesday at 7 p.m., but it is expected to take place behind closed doors.

The World Cup begins on Thursday, with Algeria’s first match of the group stage set for Tuesday at 8 p.m. against Argentina at Kansas City Stadium — the temporary name for Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, home of the Chiefs. Algeria will then face Jordan in Santa Clara, California, on June 22, before playing in Kansas City again against Austria on June 27.