Rayan Ait-Nouri faces Algeria exile after failing to apologise

Rayan Ait-Nouri is unlikely to be included in Algeria’s squad for their November fixtures against Togo after failing to make the first move following his fall-out with Brahim Hemdani.

The Manchester City left-back left Algeria’s September camp in difficult circumstances after clashing with Hemdani around the team’s 3-1 victory over Zambia. Since then, he has yet to publicly address the incident, despite an explanation reportedly being expected after Algeria’s friendly against Niger on 6 October, which they won 2-1.

Ait-Nouri has also not apologised privately, according to La Gazette du Fennec. Such an apology was understood to be one of the essential conditions for the 25-year-old to return to the national team.

His continued refusal to take that step means he is not expected to be called up for Algeria’s two matches against Togo on 14 and 17 November. The fixtures are part of the qualifying campaign for CAN 2027.

The defender’s prospects of a return had already been complicated by his lack of regular football at Manchester City. He was expected to rebuild his match fitness and playing time at club level, but has still not scored or made any progress in terms of starting opportunities in the league since the beginning of the season.

Ait-Nouri’s involvement has so far been limited mainly to brief appearances in the Champions League. He was again introduced from the substitutes’ bench in Manchester City’s 5-1 win over AEK Athens on Tuesday, playing the final 18 minutes.

The appearance took his season total to three matches in all competitions, with only 123 minutes on the pitch.

That limited involvement, combined with the unresolved dispute involving Hemdani, leaves Ait-Nouri’s position with Algeria increasingly uncertain ahead of the November international window.