The string lights in downtown Lawrence twinkle red, white and green, Viva L’Algerie banners drape along Massachusetts Street — and a giant Algeria flag has been carved into earth at the University of Kansas.Undeterred by tornado sirens, fans lined the streets to greet the Algeria team as they pulled into this vibrant Midwestern college town at around midnight on June 7. Lawrence, serving as the official base camp for Algeria, has adopted the world’s 27th-ranked team, welcoming them as one of their own.On Tuesday night (8pm CT, 2am BST on Wednesday) they take on champions Argentina and their captain Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player ever, at Arrowhead Stadium in nearby Kansas City.But it is Algeria who have stolen the locals’ hearts.“I want Algeria to go far,” says Emma Noble, a University of Kansas (KU) student and server at Wine Dive + Kitchen. “I’m a Lawrence girl. I have to root for the team that is near me. Messi has had his time. I’m ready for this team to show what Lawrence, Kansas can bring to the World Cup.”In February, KU announced that, after nearly two years of preparation, Algeria would use its training facilities and make Lawrence — a city of around 100,000 people less than an hour west from Kansas City — its home during the World Cup.On Thursday, hundreds of fans, a mix of local residents, members of the Algerian diaspora and travelling Algeria supporters, filled Rock Chalk Park soccer field as the team held an open training session for the public. “Rock Chalk, Algeria”, chanted one Lawrencian, a twist on their traditional, “Rock Chalk, Jayhawk” chant.The KU’s 25-strong marching band, consisting of brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, played Kassaman, the Algeria national anthem, to welcome the team.“Nothing means more than your own national anthem,” says Sharon Toulouse, KU’s director of athletic bands. The fans’ excitement to see the team was matched by the Algeria squad, who videoed the band and danced along pitchside.“Respect, thank you so much for the welcome,” said captain and former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, who also shot hoops on the college basketball’s court and kicked a field goal at The Booth, the college’s American football stadium.