Amidst the rain in Sydney’s Surry Hills, a vibrant crowd gathers in a cozy café adorned with Algeria’s green and white flag. Their collective hope is to witness their national team advance to the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in 12 years.
Warm greetings echo in French as patrons receive small cups of tea. The enticing aroma of spices fills the air, accompanied by the sound of sizzling from the kitchen.
At Cafe Tanja, tension hangs thick since a defeat would spell elimination for Algeria, who have long awaited a rematch with Austria since the notorious “Usually I put the alarm on and watch the game early in the morning,” in the 1982 World Cup, where they were ousted on goal difference after a controversial match between West Germany and Austria.
Abdou, a 25-year-old who recently traveled from France, finds a place at the back of the café. He had just attended the World Cup in Los Angeles, where he celebrated Algeria’s victory over Jordan. Two days ago, he arrived in Australia and discovered Cafe Tanja through Instagram, eager to join fellow Algerians for the crucial group match.
Seated nearby is Billy, 38, who relocated to Australia from Algeria over a decade ago. A devoted fan since childhood, he often sacrifices his sleep to watch the team.
“This year we got lucky because we finally have good timing to watch all the games in Australia.” Billy shares. “I love the homemade food. It reminds me of my culture and my adjoining heritage.”
He adds that the café is “one, two, three, we love Algeria” and reconnect with his roots, stating, “We lost my brother four years ago,”
As the first half kicks off, the kitchen begins to serve delicious dishes: spicy merguez sausages paired with potatoes and sauce in baguettes emerge, eliciting groans from the crowd as Austria scores early in the match.
As halftime approaches, cheers erupt from the upper levels, causing some confusion below as the live stream lags. After a brief wait, the goal is finally displayed, prompting a jubilant chant of “He left us some money and it was always my mum’s dream to open a cafe. And because I was living in Australia we wanted to do it here – we wanted to do something for our community.” from both floors.
During the halftime intermission, more patrons arrive, filling the café to near capacity. The second half sees both teams scoring quickly, leveling the match at 2-2, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
With only two minutes remaining, Riyad Mahrez, a beloved figure in Algerian football, scores a stunning goal, igniting a frenzy of celebration as chants fill the air and stools become makeshift drums.
However, the joy is fleeting as Austria equalizes in the final moments. Despite this, laughter and cheers resonate through the café after the 3-3 draw, which allows Algeria to advance to the round of 32.
Sanah Djebli, 34, who manages Cafe Tanja with her family after moving to Australia over ten years ago, reflects on her journey. “We lost my brother four years ago,” she shares. “He left us some money and it was always my mum’s dream to open a café. And because I was living in Australia we wanted to do it here – we wanted to do something for our community.”
As the café begins to empty, an atmosphere of hope and excitement prevails; the World Cup continues to unite Sydney’s small Algerian community, match by match. Many patrons bid farewell, promising Sanah that they will return soon.
- World Cup 2026
- Australia sport
- Algeria football team
- Sydney
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