FIFA Clear Arsenal’s Bennacer To Play For Algeria Against Nigeria

Arsenal youngster Ismael Bennacer has been given permission by FIFA to play for Algeria, Complete Sports Nigeria reports.

The 18-year-old midfielder, who was born in France and played for Les Bleus at under-18 and under-19 levels, qualified for Algeria through his father, and was also eligible for Morocco, where his mother is from.

A statement on the Algerian Football Federation website said:

“The International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) has officially qualified the Arsenal player Ismael Bennacer (18) to play for the representative teams of Algeria (National Team A).”

Following his switch to Algeria, the young midfielder could face the Super Eagles in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers which kick off in October.

Bennacer made his Arsenal debut last season in the League Cup when he replaced Theo Walcott in a game the Gunners went on to lose 3-0 against Sheffield Wednesday.

He is under contract with Arsenal until 2020, and cost the North-London club approximately £255,000.