The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) announced on September 26, 2026, that Rayan Aït Nouri, a defender for the national team and Manchester City, has been released from the current training camp. This decision was made by the national team coach, Brahim Hemdani, allowing Aït Nouri to return to his English club. The move comes after a significant incident during the match against Zambia on September 23, 2026, in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2027) qualifiers.
The incident occurred during the match against Zambia, which Algeria won 3-1 at Tizi-Ouzou. A video circulating on social media shows Aït Nouri becoming angry on the bench after Hemdani initially asked him to warm up to enter the game in the second half. However, upon Zambia's equalization (1-1, 57th minute), Hemdani changed his mind. Aït Nouri's anger was palpable, and his teammates struggled to calm him down before the intervention of the team's manager, Moussa Saïb, and Antar Yahia.
As a result of Hemdani's decision, Aït Nouri will not join the national team for their upcoming match against Burundi on September 29, 2026, in Bujumbura, as part of the second day of CAN 2027 qualifiers. Additionally, he will miss the friendly match against Niger on October 6, 2026, at the Hocine Ait Ahmed stadium in Tizi-Ouzou. This development suggests a definitive rift between Hemdani and Aït Nouri, primarily due to the latter's behavior during the Zambia match.
When questioned about the Aït Nouri incident during a press conference on September 25, 2026, Hemdani stated, "We are here to defend the interests of the national team, and nothing else." He further emphasized that the team would take necessary actions if any inappropriate behavior arises, although he chose not to elaborate on the matter.
The FAF communicated that Aït Nouri's release from the training camp was a direct decision by Hemdani, emphasizing the coach's authority in managing team discipline. The federation's statement confirmed that Aït Nouri would return to Manchester City, highlighting the player's club commitments over his current national team duties.
This incident marks a significant disciplinary action by Hemdani, showcasing his resolve to maintain team discipline and focus on national team objectives. The Algerian team's upcoming matches will be closely watched to assess the impact of Aït Nouri's absence and the team's overall performance.
The relationship between Hemdani and Aït Nouri appears strained, with the coach taking a firm stance on player behavior. This move may set a precedent for future disciplinary actions within the team, underscoring the importance of maintaining a cohesive and respectful team environment.
Key points
- Brahim Hemdani has released Rayan Aït Nouri from the Algerian national team's training camp due to disciplinary reasons following an incident during the match against Zambia.
