Algeria call up Marseille teenager Kenzo Brignone for Under-17 World Cup build-up

Algeria Under-17 head coach Amine Ghimouz has called up Olympique de Marseille defender Kenzo Brignone for the squad’s pre-World Cup training camp, handing the 16-year-old his first opportunity at international level with the North African nation.

Brignone joined Marseille’s academy this summer from Nice and is one of two players from the club’s youth system selected for Algeria’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA Under-17 World Cup. Goalkeeper Ivan Guemdani, also 16, has been included after being given his chance at the end of March.

The selection represents a particularly significant step for Brignone, who was born in November 2009 and is regarded as a major prospect in his position. He has already been playing above his age group with Marseille’s youth teams.

A powerful central defender, Brignone is known for his ability in one-on-one duels and his quality when bringing the ball out from defence. Those attributes have helped him make an immediate impact since arriving at Marseille.

He has started all three of his possible matches in the French Under-19 Championship this season, making three appearances in total. His involvement with the senior youth age group underlines the regard in which he is held at the club.

Brignone remains eligible to represent France, but he has not yet been selected by the French national teams. His involvement with Algeria is therefore an encouraging indication for the Fennecs, although he will still have to confirm his choice in the future if he wants to pursue an international career with Algeria’s senior side.

For now, the defender will join Ghimouz’s squad for a friendly tournament in Croatia during the next international window. Algeria will face Saudi Arabia on 26 September before playing the host nation on 29 September. Their remaining matches will come against Hungary and Qatar on 2 and 5 October respectively.

The tournament will form part of Algeria’s preparations for the Under-17 World Cup, which will be held in Qatar in November 2026. Algeria have been drawn in Group J alongside the United States, Montenegro and Chile.

The competition will mark Algeria’s second appearance at the Under-17 World Cup. Their previous participation came in 2009.

Brignone’s inclusion gives Marseille another representative in an Algeria squad preparing for the global finals, while also providing the young defender with an opportunity to strengthen his international credentials. His first call-up arrives at a key stage of his development, with the player continuing to establish himself at Marseille after making the move from Nice during the summer.

Guemdani, meanwhile, has also been selected after his emergence late in March, giving Olympique de Marseille two academy players in Algeria’s pre-World Cup group.