Algeria - Manchester City: FAF rejects Guardiola's request

Algeria: The firm response sent to Man City

Algeria - Manchester City: FAF rejects Guardiola's request

According to The Athletic, Manchester City requested a special extension from the FAF to keep Rayan Aït-Nouri until December 17. Pep Guardiola reportedly explained directly to Walid Sadi that his team has to play "five matches in two weeks," a grueling schedule that forces him to retain his left-back until the very last minute. This request comes as Algeria is already preparing for AFCON 2025.

The Fennecs will compete in Group E alongside:

After finishing top of their qualifying group, Algeria has high ambitions for this edition, which will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

The Algeria match schedule is as follows:

All matches will be played at the Moulay El Hassan Sports Complex in Rabat, where Aït-Nouri's late arrival could impact the Fennecs' final preparations.