Rayan Ait-Nouri’s future with Algeria has been thrown into uncertainty after the Manchester City defender left the national team camp following an incident during the 3-1 victory over Zambia.
The 25-year-old left-back’s departure came after he was left out of the starting line-up for the opening match of Algeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. A video that circulated widely appeared to show Ait-Nouri protesting after not being selected, prompting strong reaction from supporters and media in Algeria.
The incident has since developed into a wider dispute, with sources telling WinWin that the disagreement did not begin with the footage that emerged after the Zambia match.
Ait-Nouri had reportedly been dissatisfied with several developments before and after joining the national team camp. According to the same sources, he had hoped the international break would help him rebuild his confidence after a difficult period with Manchester City and provide an opportunity to regain regular playing time and feel valued.
His omission from the starting XI against Zambia came as a further disappointment.
The sources said Ait-Nouri did not initially make a public protest and instead remained apart from his team-mates before the match. His frustration became more visible later when he was asked to warm up with the intention of coming on as a substitute.
That change of plan did not happen after Zambia equalised. Ait-Nouri was subsequently asked to prepare again, but Ibrahim Hamdani eventually chose Adel Boulbina instead.
The decision reportedly angered Ait-Nouri, although the sources said his initial reaction was not particularly strong.
The situation escalated after sporting director Moussa Saïb intervened in an attempt to calm the player. According to the sources, Saïb’s intervention was intended to settle the matter, but it was during that exchange that the behaviour which later attracted widespread attention occurred.
The sources stressed that the footage circulating online did not show the complete sequence of events and that parts of the incident appeared fragmented.
They also said Saïb’s involvement was administrative rather than technical, with Hamdani and Antar Yahia responsible for the sporting and technical aspects of the team.
A further development came immediately after the Zambia match, when Ait-Nouri reportedly asked to leave the national team camp.
According to the sources, the player believed he had not received the appreciation, respect and support he expected from the national team. He had joined the squad hoping to move beyond his difficulties at Manchester City but instead became involved in a dispute that ultimately led to his departure.
The Algerian Football Federation and the coaching staff were reportedly willing to resolve the matter internally. However, Ait-Nouri maintained his decision to leave, after which the departure was presented as a disciplinary measure in an effort to close the issue.
Hamdani was said to be waiting for an apology from Ait-Nouri to his team-mates and the dressing room, or an acknowledgement that he had made a mistake, which could have brought the matter to an end.
Instead, the defender chose to leave the camp, potentially creating further consequences for his international future.
People close to the Manchester City player have not ruled out the possibility of Ait-Nouri deciding against returning to the Algeria squad while the current coaching staff remain in charge. His frustration has reportedly been compounded by the criticism and public reaction that followed the incident.
The Algerian Football Federation, however, has so far avoided escalating the dispute. An official source said the situation needed to be handled carefully and that efforts to resolve the matter could take place later.
For now, the federation’s priority is to keep attention on Algeria’s upcoming fixtures, beginning with Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burundi.
