Algerian World Cup team cancels trip to Qatar

The Algerian national football team’s scheduled trip to Qatar has been reportedly cancelled.

The team was meant to fly over to Doha on Thursday, following an invitation from Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

A reception was to be held to honor the Algerians, the only Arab football team to compete in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Algerians had lost in the encounter with the Germans last week, failing to qualify for the quarter finals.

Despite losing 1-2 to Germany during the extra-time, their resilient, strong performance impressed many.

According to local media reports, the Algerian presidency intervened and canceled the trip because the Algerian Football Association had failed to coordinate with the presidency and the higher authorities regarding the trip to Qatar.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika held a reception ceremony to honor the team on Wednesday. They returned home to a heroes’ welcome and were greeted by the Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, who also embraced the team’s Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic.