Naby Keita has opted to delay his return to the Guinea national team, despite being contacted by head coach Hubert Dussuyer ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Keita, who has been absent from international duty since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, was invited to rejoin the Syli National for their matches against Somalia and Uganda between March 17 and 25.
However, according to ConakrySports, the 30-year-old midfielder declined the invitation—not as a permanent decision, but as a temporary measure.
Keita focused on regaining full fitness
After nearly a year without competitive football, Keita recently made his long-awaited return to action for Ferencváros, featuring in a 2-2 draw against ETO FC in the Hungarian league.
His last official club appearance before that came on April 5, 2024, when he played for Werder Bremen in a Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The former Liverpool midfielder reportedly told Dussuyer that he wants to regain peak fitness before returning to the national team setup.
While his experience and leadership remain invaluable, Keita believes it is essential to prioritize his physical condition before committing to international duty.
Return expected in June
Keita’s absence will give younger players an opportunity to gain experience in Guinea’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
The midfielder, who has earned 54 caps and scored 11 goals for his country, is expected to be available for selection in June, when Guinea is set to participate in friendly matches.
🚨ÉCHANGE DUSSUYER – NABY KEITA
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗿𝘆𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 révèle un échange entre le sélectionneur et le capitaine du Syli National. 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹 𝗗𝘂𝘀𝘀𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘂 𝘁𝗲́𝗹𝗲́𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝗯𝘆 𝗞𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗮 pour solliciter sa présence au mois de mars. #FOOT224 pic.twitter.com/A6ujxCc96H
— F⚽⚽T224.COM (@FOOT_224) March 4, 2025
Dussuyer has reportedly accepted Keita’s decision and remains hopeful that the midfielder will be fully fit and ready to contribute in the next international window.
For now, the Syli National will proceed without their longtime captain as they continue their bid for a place at the 2026 World Cup.
