Ait-Nouri left out of Algeria squad after international break dispute

Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri has been omitted from Algeria’s squad for their two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Togo on 14 and 17 November.

The decision follows an incident during the previous international break, while Ait-Nouri’s lack of regular first-team football at Manchester City has also complicated his position with the national side.

Algeria manager Brahim Hemdani said the exclusion was a tactical decision and insisted the 25-year-old remained eligible for future selection.

“There are two essential conditions for joining the Algeria national team: playing regularly for your club and respecting the clearly defined team structure,” Hemdani said, according to Fennec Football, as reported by Sport Witness.

He added: “The decision taken regarding Ait-Nouri is logical in the current context, but the door remains open. Nobody is permanently excluded.

“We continue to monitor him. I know what this player has brought to Algeria, but not selecting him remains above all a tactical decision.”

Ait-Nouri’s frustration reportedly came during Algeria’s 3-1 victory over Zambia in September. Hemdani selected Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jaouen Hadjam instead of the Manchester City player, despite having planned to introduce Ait-Nouri during the match.

The manager changed his plans after Zambia equalised. When Algeria later regained the lead, Ait-Nouri allegedly refused to leave the bench and confronted members of the coaching staff and some team-mates.

Other reports stated that the former Wolves player subsequently asked to leave the training camp and withdrew a few days later. He has now been left out of Hemdani’s squad for the two November qualifiers.

His prospects at Manchester City have also remained limited. Nico O’Reilly and Josko Gvardiol have established themselves as the preferred options at left-back at the Etihad Stadium, while Ait-Nouri’s difficulties began last season.

The defender joined Manchester City from Wolves in June 2025 on a five-year contract running until summer 2030. The initial fee was £31m, with a further £5.3m available in bonuses.

He made his Manchester City debut in a FIFA Club World Cup group-stage victory over Al Ain that month, before starting his first Premier League match for the club against former side Wolves in August 2025.

By the end of September 2025, an ankle injury had kept him out for 12 matches in all competitions and contributed to him dropping to the substitutes’ bench under Pep Guardiola. He had started 20 of 28 appearances in all competitions the previous season, providing five assists.

Ait-Nouri has yet to play in the Premier League during the 2026-27 season under Enzo Maresca. He has started only one of his four appearances in the Carabao Cup and UEFA Champions League this campaign.

He finished last season with 17 Manchester City appearances and fewer than 1,000 minutes in the top flight.

The lack of opportunities has prompted speculation about a move in the next winter transfer window, either on a permanent basis or loan. A departure could give Ait-Nouri more playing time, while Manchester City could free up squad space and financial resources with about four years remaining on his contract.

Maresca’s side face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday evening, seeking a first league win after consecutive defeats by Brighton and Aston Villa.