Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic banned the media from filming his soccer team during its training sessions prior to the World Cup. A local Kansas City news station did not listen!
KMBC 9 flew its helicopter over the practice field anyway…
Although I don’t think the brief aerial video of the Algerian soccer practice is going to provide any of the upcoming opponents with a strategic advantage, the breach of protocol has sparked an international dispute.
Algeria is practicing for the World Cup in Lawrence, Kansas.
All 48 participating countries were allowed to select their own team base camps and training sites from a curated list of FIFA-vetted facilities. FIFA established a foundational list of training options, qualified teams then made their selections based on factors like travel logistics, climate and privacy. Each country will use a primary training ground and paired hotel as its headquarters throughout the group stage. Most teams arrived to their host site over the last ~10 days.
- Algeria — Lawrence, Kan. — University of Kansas
- Argentina — Kansas City, Kan. — Sporting KC Training Center
- Australia — Alameda, Calif. — Oakland Roots/Soul Training Facility
- Austria — Santa Barbara, Calif. — UC Santa Barbara – Harder Stadium
- Belgium — Renton, Wash. — Seattle Sounders FC Performance Centre and Clubhouse
- Bosnia and Herzegovina — Sandy, Utah — RSL Stadium
- Brazil — Morristown, N.J. — Columbia Park Training Facility
- Cabo Verde — Tampa, Fla. — Waters Sportsplex
- Canada — Vancouver, B.C., Canada — National Soccer Development Centre
- Colombia — Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico — Academia Atlas FC
- Congo DR — Houston, Texas — Houston Sports Park
- Côte d’Ivoire — Chester, Pa. — Philadelphia Union Stadium
- Croatia — Alexandria, Va. — Episcopal High School
- Curaçao — Boca Raton, Fla. — Florida Atlantic University
- Czechia — Mansfield, Texas — Mansfield Multipurpose Stadium
- Ecuador — Columbus, Ohio — Columbus Crew Performance Center
- England — Kansas City, Mo. — Swope Soccer Village
- Egypt — Spokane, Wash. — Gonzaga University
- France — Waltham, Mass. — Bentley University
- Germany — Winston-Salem, N.C. — Wake Forest University
- Ghana — Smithfield, R.I. — Bryant University
- Haiti — Galloway Township, N.J. — Stockton University
- IR Iran — Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico — Centro Xoloitzcuintle
- Iraq — White Sulphur Springs, W.V. — The Greenbrier Sports Performance Center
- Japan — Nashville, Tenn. — Nashville SC Training Center
- Jordan — Portland, Ore. — University of Portland
- Korea Republic — Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico — Chivas Verde Valle
- Mexico — Mexico City, Mexico — Centro de Alto Rendimiento (CAR)
- Morocco — Basking Ridge, N.J. — The Pingry School
- Netherlands — Riverside, Mo. — KC Current Training Facility
- New Zealand — San Diego, Calif. — University of San Diego – Torero Stadium
- Norway — Greensboro, N.C. — UNC Greensboro
- Panama — New Tecumseth, Ontario, Canada — Nottawasaga Training Site
- Paraguay — San Jose, Calif. — Spartan Soccer Complex
- Portugal — Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. — Gardens North County District Park
- Qatar — Santa Barbara, Calif. — Westmont College
- Saudi Arabia — Austin, Texas — Austin FC Stadium
- Scotland — Charlotte, N.C. — Charlotte FC Training Center
- Senegal — Piscataway, N.J. — Rutgers University
- South Africa — San Agustín Tlaxiaca, Hidalgo, Mexico — CF Pachuca – Universidad Del Futbol
- Spain — Chattanooga, Tenn. — Baylor School
- Sweden — Frisco, Texas — FC Dallas Stadium
- Switzerland — San Diego, Calif. — SDJA
- Tunisia — Santiago, Nuevo León, Mexico — Rayados Training Center
- Türkiye — Mesa, Ariz. — Arizona Athletic Grounds
- United States — Irvine, Calif. — Great Park Sports Complex
- Uruguay — Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico — Mayakoba Training Center Cancun
- Uzbekistan — Marietta, Ga. — Atlanta United Training Center
Team Algeria chose to train at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. They were met by a large crowd of supporters upon arrival to the DoubleTree hotel off McDonald Drive and 2nd Street.
The city has embraced its international visitors.
Locals are going all-in on Les Fennecs.
Algeria will play its three group stage matches against Argentina in Kansas City on June 16, Jordan in San Francisco on June 22 and Austria in Kansas City on June 27. Lawrence police will travel with them on every stop along the way.
KMBC 9 broke the media ban for soccer training.
With the No. 1-ranked soccer team in the world on the schedule for its first game of the World Cup, Team Algeria does not want to give the Argentina squad any kind of advantage. It doesn’t want to reveal its game plan. It doesn’t want to show its lineup.
To keep its secrets in house, head coach Vladimir Petkovic banned the media from filming at his training sessions. That rule also applies to the fans who gathered outside of the gates to sneak a peek.
😅🔥على الطريقة الجزائرية" الحلال " في استراق النظر👁
— بوابة الجزائر – Algeria Gate (@algatedz) June 9, 2026
🛑قناة تلفزيونية أميركية🇺🇸 تقول إن شغف الجزائريين🇩🇿 بمنتخب بلادهم غير، طبيعي! #Algérie pic.twitter.com/L6JDifDBl9
No video allowed!
KMBC 9 did not adhere to the rules. The Kansas City-based ABC affiliate flew its News Chopper 9 over the practice facility at the University of Kansas while Team Algeria was on the field.
Some international fans are upset with the decision to film the practice from the helicopter. They find it to be a direct display of defiance toward the Algerian gaffer’s wishes. Video was banned at training. KMBC 9 filmed video. It was disrespectful!