Algeria Manager Explains Rayan Ait-Nouri Absence From AFCON Qualifiers After Disciplinary Action

Algeria Manager Explains Rayan Ait-Nouri Absence From AFCON Qualifiers After Disciplinary Action Rayan Ait-Nouri faces a difficult future for club and country. Algeria are set to face Togo twice in the AFCON qualifiers on November 14 and November 17. Ait-Nouri’s exclusion from the squad stems from the his conduct in the previous international break, adding to his ongoing state of stagnancy in terms of on-pitch action at Manchester City . The form and consistency shown by Nico O'Reilly and Josko Gvardiol at left-back at the Etihad Stadium have seen minutes hard to come by for Ait-Nouri this term, though his struggles date back to last season. Ait-Nouri, 25, arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Wolves in June 2025 on a five-year deal running until the summer of 2030 for a reported initial fee of £31 million with £5.3 million in add-ons. He made his Manchester City debut in their FIFA Club World Cup group-stage win over Al Ain that month, followed by making his Premier League debut for the club in their opening game of the season against his former side Wolves in August 2025. Later in September 2025, the left-back missed about 13 games for club and country due to an ankle injury and subsequently fell behind in Pep Guardiola’s pecking order. He started in 20 out of his 28 appearances across all competitions in the previous campaign, registering five assists. The current season under Enzo Maresca has not taken a turn for the better for Ait-Nouri so far, as he is yet to feature in a Premier League match since the start of the 2026-27 campaign. During the previous international break, the Angers graduate’s expectations of enjoying significant minutes with the national team were not met when Algeria head coach Brahim Hemdani decided to start Brighton and Hove Albion ’s Jaouen Hadjam instead of him in the 3-1 win over Zambia in September. Hemdani planned to sub on the Manchester City star but changed his mind after Zambia scored the equaliser. Later, when Algeria secured the lead in the match, the defender refused to come off the bench while arguing with the coaching staff and some of his teammates. Reports also suggested that a few days later, Ait-Nouri withdrew himself after asking to leave the national team camp. And now, the former Wolves star has been excluded from the Algerian coach’s squad list for the upcoming two AFCON qualifiers. Hemdani has shed light on his decision to leave out Ait-Nouri from the November fixtures, referring to it as 'tactical' After announcing his squad list, the manager listed the 'two essential conditions' for making the National Team. “There are two essential conditions for making the Algerian national team: playing regularly for his club and respecting the clearly defined team structure," Hemdani said, as reported by  Fennec Football and relayed by  Sport Witness . Hemdani further clarified that the decision of the defender’s exclusion is based on 'current context', mentioning the 'doors remain open' for future call-ups. “The decision made regarding Ait-Nouri is logical in the current context - but the doors remain open. No one is definitively excluded," the 48-year-old added. “We continue to monitor him. I know what this player has brought to Algeria, but not calling him up remains, above all, a tactical decision." What’s next for Ait-Nouri and Man City? Ait-Nouri concluded the previous season at Manchester City with 17 appearances and less than 1000 minutes on the pitch in the top flight. The defender has started in one out of the four appearances he has made in the Carabao Cup and UEFA Champions League so far this season. Considering that the defender has not been able to make an impression on Maresca to earn minutes in the top flight so far, and Hemdani’s emphasis on having regular game time in the club setting to make the cut for the national team, it appears Ait-Nouri may have to seriously consider a move away from City soon. The left-back’s current situation at the Etihad Stadium has already led to speculation that he will be parting ways with Manchester City, either on a permanent transfer or on loan in the upcoming January transfer window. A potential departure could be beneficial for both the player and the club, as Ait-Nouri could secure more minutes on the pitch while City could free up both space and finances, as he has about four more years left on his contract and could bring in a significant fee. Maresca and co will face Nottingham Forest in their next Premier League clash at the City Ground on Saturday evening as City look to return to winning ways after back-to-back league losses to Brighton and Aston Villa .