FAF shifts into second gear for a Franco-Algerian talent

FAF steps up its pursuit of a young dual national

FAF shifts into second gear for a Franco-Algerian talent

According to Algerian outlet La Gazette du Fennec, the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has recently initiated contact with Yassine Benhattab, a 22-year-old winger currently playing for FC Nantes. Developed at Chamois Niortais, the diminutive attacker has made five Ligue 1 appearances this season. His agility and ability to break down the flanks have made him a player closely monitored by Algerian officials, who are ramping up their efforts to recruit dual nationals and broaden the pool of eligible players for the national team.

Algérie : FAF-Yassine Benhattab, contact établi #TeamDZ
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— La Gazette du Fennec (@LGDFennec) September 23, 2025

This approach is part of a broader plan led by the FAF: to build a new generation capable of adding greater depth to the national squad. Benhattab isn’t the only player on their radar—several other names are also being considered as potential additions to the team in the near future. The goal is clear: to give Vladimir Petkovic a range of options to prepare for major upcoming challenges and to avoid dependence on a small core of regular starters.

Between ambition and an international future

For Benhattab, the prospect of a national team call-up would mark a pivotal stage in his career. Algeria is banking on the emergence of young players based in Europe to bolster its ambitions ahead of the 2025 AFCON in Morocco and the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Nothing is official yet, but the FAF’s clear interest confirms that the Nantes winger is now on the shortlist of potential offensive reinforcements. Should the plan come to fruition, Benhattab could become one of the future faces of the Greens.