Algerian players exempt from fasting for Ramadan and hire travelling imam ahead of World Cup last 16 clash with Germany

  • Algerian players given permission to not fast during Ramadan
  • Coach Vahid Halilhodzic says players will receive tailored schedule from a travelling imam to ensure they don't suffer physically
  • Muslims fast during daylight hours during 30 days of Ramadan

Algerian players observing Ramadan will be exempt from fasting as they prepare to take on Germany in the round of 16 in Porto Alegre tomorrow.


Coach Vahid Halilhodzic says his players will receive a tailored schedule from a travelling imam to ensure they respect the holiest month of the Islam calendar but do not suffer physically.

Muslims fast during daylight hours in the 30 days of Ramadan.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Nabil Bentaleb explain what Algerian fans mean to him

Exempt: Algerian players observing Ramadan won't suffer physically during the holiest month of Islam

Exempt: Algerian players observing Ramadan won't suffer physically during the holiest month of Islam

Permission: Members of the Algeria squad won't have to fast while their World Cup campaign is underway

Permission: Members of the Algeria squad won't have to fast while their World Cup campaign is underway

Promise: Coach Vahid Halilhodzic (centre) says his players will receive a tailored schedule from a travelling imam to ensure they respect Ramadan but do not suffer physically

Promise: Coach Vahid Halilhodzic (centre) says his players will receive a tailored schedule from a travelling imam to ensure they respect Ramadan but do not suffer physically

It’s the first time these countries have met since the 1982 World Cup and the infamous ‘Disgrace of Dijon’ when West Germany and Austria conspired to produce a mutually-agreeable 1-0 win for the Germans which eliminated Algeria at the group stage.

The Algerians went out despite having beaten West Germany 2-1.

German striker Lukas Podolski has been ruled out with a leg injury, with Mario Gotze coming in.

Out: Germany striker Lukas Podolski will not feature against Algeria and will be replaced by Mario Gotze

Out: Germany striker Lukas Podolski will not feature against Algeria and will be replaced by Mario Gotze