In the university city of Lawrence, Kansas — population roughly 100,000 — something remarkable is unfolding. Algeria have chosen the city as their base camp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Lawrence has responded with a warmth that has surprised even its own residents.

"When we found out that Algeria was coming here in February, we started preparations to make sure they knew they were going to be welcome," said Ruth DeWitt, director of community relations at Explore Lawrence, the city's tourism bureau. "Lawrence has just rolled out the red carpet for the team in so many different ways."

A city that did its homework

Before the squad arrived, Lawrence organised "Soccer 101" classes to teach locals the rules of football, along with sessions on Algerian culture and fan traditions. When the team's bus finally rolled into town, hundreds of supporters lined the streets to greet them. Rock Chalk Park filled with spectators for a community training session, during which players spent time with local children.

Algerian communities based in neighbouring Missouri — roughly 40 miles from Lawrence — have been making the daily journey to the city hoping to catch a glimpse of their national heroes. One of those supporters, Wassini Souarit from Minneapolis, has been taken in as a houseguest by DeWitt herself for the duration of the tournament.

"There were so many challenges for Algerians to travel here and we just adopted them as our home team," DeWitt said. "We're rooting for the USA, but we're rooting for Algeria just as much because we are so happy that they chose Lawrence as their base camp. That's exactly what the World Cup is about."

Art, food, and community

The embrace of Algeria extends well beyond flags — though those are everywhere. Algeria shirts have become a common sight on Lawrence's streets as the team prepare for their tournament opener against holders Argentina at Kansas City Stadium, home of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, on Tuesday at 02:00 BST.

Earthworks artist Stan Herd has created a large-scale installation of the Algeria flag on the University of Kansas campus, visible in full from the roof of the campus buildings. Supporter gatherings have also been held at Union Station in Kansas City.

"Restaurant owners are cooking halal. This town is really embracing — for ourselves as much as for our visitors," said Herd, 76. "We are beginning to love football more than [American] football."

Herd believes the World Cup has created bonds that will outlast the tournament itself. "A lot of people, through an effort like this, make common cause with their neighbours that they may have passed by for years," he said. "We see this as a very great opportunity to show how Kansans welcome the world."