Hichem Abderrebi selection sparks confusion between Algeria U20 and France U19

Hichem Abderrebi has become the focus of a selection dispute after the 18-year-old midfielder was named in an Algeria U20 squad list but subsequently called up by France U19.

The teenager, who is eligible to represent Algeria through his parents’ origins, was included in a list published on Wednesday by the Union nord-africaine de football (UNAF). The squad was announced ahead of qualification for next year’s CAN U20 in Ghana.

However, Abderrebi’s name was absent from the list published by the Federation algerienne de football (FAF) on Monday. The discrepancy appears to have resulted from UNAF publishing a list submitted by the FAF before the Algerian federation released its final selection without the Montpellier player.

Montpellier’s announcement of Abderrebi’s call-up by France U19 appears to explain the change. It suggests that, in the meantime, the midfielder chose to join the French youth side, prompting the FAF to remove him from Hocine El Orfi’s final Algeria U20 squad after he had been strongly expected to feature.

Abderrebi’s decision does not permanently rule out a future with Algeria. The Bordeaux-born player remains eligible for the Algeria U20 and U23 teams, as well as the senior national team.

The midfielder moved from Montpellier’s U19 side last season into a rotational role with the club at the start of the current campaign. He has made seven Ligue 2 appearances, including three starts.

Algeria begin their U20 qualification campaign against Tunisia on Thursday at 14:30 Algerian time. The match will be played at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.

They will then face Libya on Sunday before meeting Morocco and hosts Egypt on 30 September and 6 October respectively. Only the top two teams will qualify for the final tournament.

The confusion over Abderrebi’s status comes as Algeria finalise their squad for the qualification campaign, while the player takes up his place with France U19. His international future remains open because representing France at youth level does not prevent him from later choosing Algeria’s U20, U23 or senior sides.