U16: Three new players join the France team, while Ziani loses a member.

Sep 22, 2026

The U16 national team, also known as U17(B), has integrated four new players from France while losing one.

The squad, preparing for the UNAF tournament that serves as a qualifier for the 2027 U17 Africa Cup of Nations, has had its schedule pushed back to next November. To adapt to this change, Karim Ziani's players will play a double-header against Tunisia on September 24 and 27.

Regarding the list of 26 summoned players, two players return who were absent in June during the friendly match against Saudi Arabia: Red Star defender Adam Tourqui and Clermont midfielder Ilyes Zidane.

However, the absences of forwards Medine Zegaoui from Toulouse and especially Elyes Diallo from Marseille, who has chosen to represent France after being called up to the U17 squad, should be noted.

Finally, three new players join the team:
Nessim Kacem, 16, Forward, Nancy U17
Ibrahim Mekkid, 16, Midfielder, Paris FC U17
Abderraouf Batli, 16, Forward, Brest U19

It is worth noting that Paradou midfielder Yacine Abed remains with Karim Ziani's U16 squad and is therefore not expected to participate in the U17 World Cup, although he helped qualify the Greens.

DZfoot