With decisive words… Hafiz Daraji responds to the accusation that Algeria and Austria are manipulating to exclude Iran.

Algerian commentator Hafid Draghi expressed his opinion about the accusations against his country’s national team and its Austrian counterpart after the last round of the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Algeria drew 3-3 with Austria, sending both teams through to the round of 32 of the World Cup, while the Arab team avoided a showdown with Spain in the next round.

After the match, there were some allegations of collusion and deliberate manipulation by the two teams to score a draw and qualify together, which resulted in Iran’s elimination from the World Cup.

The two sides denied there was a pre-arrangement to go out with a draw to qualify together and avoid a showdown with Algeria in the round of 32 against Spain.

In turn, he commented Hafiz Draghi“In football, the elements of conspiracy are complete when two teams agree to eliminate a third team. As for Algeria and Austria, they did not cheat against any team. Rather, each of them has reached a result that serves their sporting interests and is a legitimate process that does not violate the laws of the game.”

He concluded. “Whoever looks for a conspiracy in every draw ignores that football is decided inside the green rectangle, not by comments and accusations.”