Following recent friendly matches in South Africa, the Algerian U23 national team is shifting focus to official competition for the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Having received a bye for the first round, Rafik Saïfi's squad will now face Eswatini in the second round. Eswatini advanced by eliminating Malawi, winning 1-0 away and drawing 1-1 at home. The double-header between Algeria and Eswatini is scheduled to take place between November 9 and 17, 2026. The Algerian Football Federation has yet to confirm the venue for the return leg.