(by Laura De Santi) (ANSAmed) - ALGIERS - Two days before the match that could open the doors to the World Cup for the Algerian football team after 24 years, the entire country seems euphoric: everybody is waiting for the moment that the 'green shirts' will enter the field for their match in Cairo against Egypt. People in bars, on markets, from the most densely populated districts to the oases deep inside the Sahara, are making preparations for the celebration. Football is all people are talking about. For a moment they forget about their low salary, if they have any at all, about the violent riots in the past weeks in the country's shantytowns, the demonstrations of teachers, the 'harraga' who try to reach the European Eldorado overseas and about the endless violence of terrorism that continues to stain the country with blood. Everybody is dreaming of the World Championship but there are some who foresee serious problems if the Algerian team is defeated. Quai d'Orsay, the French Foreign Ministry, for example, ''invites the French to stay in a safe place'' on November 14. And despite the fact that Algeria seems certain to qualify (13 points, leader of Group C), all the team has to do is not loosing with a difference of more than two goals, the supporters fear ''a hostile stadium and the dirty tricks'' of the Egyptian team (11 points). ''The last time we played in Cairo we have lost 5-0! It won't be that easy'' said Ahmed, while trying to attach a huge flag on the faade of the white buildings of Bab El Qued, together with other young men. ''But the Italian team will bring us luck!'' the man went on, referring to the training camp of the Algerian team in Coverciano last week. ''Our players are young and strong, but I'm sure that the Egyptians will be violent on the field. They are insulting us, they have burned our flag. Of course we will win!'', another supporter added, asking for Allah's protection. Tensions between the two countries are reaching a climax and the FIFA is trying to calm things down, reminding the Egyptian football federation of its duty to protect Algerian players and supporters. The Al Azhar mosque of Cairo will dedicate its traditional Friday prayer to the match, urging the faithful ''for the unity of the Arab nation and solidarity between fellow people'', writes the Algerian press, which has been writing pages and pages on the event for days. Meanwhile in Algiers and any other city in the country, all people have on their mind is the event, a million dollar business. All kinds of products with the emblem of the national team are being sold on the markets. Flags and shirts, shoes and caps made in China are sold everywhere, while songs dedicated to the 'Greens' are heard from many cars. Songs written for the occasion, with texts that often incite to violence or include words with sexual overtones, taboo in a country like Algeria. If Algeria qualifies for the World Championship in South Africa, it will be the country's third world championship after '82 and '86. If the team ends at the same level as Egypt, the play-off will be in Sudan on November 18. (ANSAmed).