FIFA declares three former French junior internationals eligible to play for Algeria

World football’s governing body approved a request for a change of nationality for Habib Belaid, Ryad Boudebouz and Mohamed Chakhouri on Tuesday.

 

• This means all three players will be available to play for the Desert Warriors at the World Cup in June.
• This will come as a boost for the Algerians as they are without a number of players through injury.
• The trio all played for France at junior level but, because they are dual nationals and have not been capped at senior level, they are eligible to represent Algeria.
• Belaid and Boudebouz were named in a preliminary squad of 25 by Algeria coach Rabah Saadane this month for their pre-World Cup preparations, which start in Switzerland on Thursday.
• Fifa said it had also received a request from Algeria about former Liverpool midfielder Carl Medjani, who now plays for Ajaccio in the French second division.
• “The matter is being assessed and a decision will be taken very soon,” a spokesperson said.

• Algeria have been drawn in World Cup Group C along with England, Slovenia and the United States.