Algerian Football Association (FAF) President, Djahid Zefizef took the opportunity to present developments at home and across the African continent in detailed discussions with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Paris. “Overall, this was a friendly meeting in which we discussed all matters relating to world football and the role played by Algeria, which is a major footballing nation and contributes significantly to our continent and the global game,” the FAF President said following the meeting.

Named Algerian FA President in July 2022, Mr Zefizef replaced Charaf-Eddine Amara, who stood down following the Fennec Foxes’ failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ following a painful two-legged defeat at the hands of Cameroon. As Algeria also missed out on the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, the new FAF President mentioned his obvious desire to reverse this trend whilst also strengthening the training provision and infrastructure throughout the country. In doing so, Zefizef looks to benefit from the support of world football’s governing body, which, as per President Infantino’s Vision, is committed to assisting all of its member associations, regardless of their size, to develop with a view to making football truly global.

“Our collaboration with FIFA serves our needs in terms of addressing the various challenges we face, be they technical, legal or of another nature,” the ex-general manager of the Algeria national team said. “There will be no football development if we fail to invest now, and I believe that just as FIFA continues to offer its development programmes, on our side, we will try to lead well-structured projects that enable us to benefit from such support initiatives.”