Algeria return to U17 World Cup with key talents missing from squad

Algeria will return to the FIFA U17 World Cup for the first time since 2009, but head coach Amine Ghimouz has named a squad containing several notable omissions for the tournament in Qatar.

The competition will take place from 19 November to 13 December, with Algeria’s selection attracting attention because of the absence of players who featured prominently in previous international camps.

Among the biggest surprises is the non-selection of Mouhammed Valmy. The forward was one of the standout performers at the last Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, scoring twice against Tanzania and being named player of the match. Ghimouz also praised Valmy’s performances during the continental tournament.

Yanis Messaoudi is another prominent absentee. The young midfielder, who plays for AC Milan, has not been included in the group travelling to Qatar.

Bilal Daaou of Eintracht Frankfurt U19 and Zinedine Zouai of Sochaux U19 are also missing from the squad. No explanation was given for the four omissions in the announcement accompanying the team list.

The decisions will be closely examined because this generation is regarded as a significant source of hope for Algerian football. The country has not appeared at the U17 World Cup since the 2009 edition in Nigeria.

Ghimouz has nevertheless retained several players who impressed during the previous continental competition.

Yacine Abed, who stood out at the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations, has been selected. He will be joined by Rayan Zidane, a midfielder with Bayer Leverkusen, and Walid Nechab of Olympique Lyonnais.

Ramy Benkhiat is also included after choosing Algeria last month. The squad further features Ilyes Grini of Lens, Nazim Benghezel of Amiens and Mahdi Maghlout of Inter Milan.

Khalil Touali, another player singled out for praise by Ghimouz during the continental tournament, has also made the final list.

Algeria have been drawn in Group J alongside the United States, Chile and Montenegro. Their immediate target will be to reach the knockout phase on their return to the global stage.

“Our ambition is to go far in the competition and, of course, to do our country proud,” Ghimouz said.

The coach’s squad combines several promising players with the absence of four expected names, leaving the young Fennecs facing their long-awaited World Cup return without some of the talents who had featured in earlier plans.