Rayan Aït-Nouri sent home after Algeria bench dispute

Rayan Aït-Nouri has been excluded from Algeria’s squad after his reaction to being left on the bench against Zambia. The decision marked Brahim Hemdani’s first firm disciplinary measure since taking charge and reinforced the coach’s authority at the start of a new cycle.

Aït-Nouri expected to play, but Jaouen Hadjam was selected instead and scored after two minutes. The Manchester City defender was sent to warm up before being called back, and his visible frustration reportedly included exchanges with staff and a refusal to resume warming up. He did not enter the match, and Hemdani sent him home the following day. Moussa Saïb, Algeria’s general manager and a former captain and 1990 African champion, also attempted to address the situation.

The episode comes despite Aït-Nouri’s standing with the national team. He chose Algeria in 2023 after representing France at youth level and has been viewed as the regular left-back since the World Cup. His club status, however, offers no automatic place in the national lineup. He has played only 105 minutes for Manchester City this season, none of them in the Premier League, with Josko Gvardiol and Nico O’Reilly ahead of him in selection.

At 25, Aït-Nouri has time to recover his position, but Hemdani’s action makes clear that club reputation will not override the coach’s choices. His return will depend on how the dispute is resolved.