Troussier wants French for Qatar

Troussier has targeted a batch of players currently plying their trade in Le Championnat, who have yet to gain international honours.

The Frenchman is keen to lure these footballers to the Middle East with a long-term view of them obtaining Qatari nationality.

The coach feels this would be the best route for Qatar to take if the nation ever wanted to reach the World Cup finals.

"It is a simple project but probably the only way to one day qualify the national team for the World Cup," Troussier told the French media.

"But this type of naturalisation is not new in Qatar as 80 percent of the team's players were born elsewhere and not in this country.

"They come from Africa, Iran or Iraq. So, if it is feasible, why not ask players from Ligue 1 to join us?

"Players like Frederic Piquionne, Jean-Claude Darcheville or Stephane Ziani were never selected for the French team and could enter our project of football development in Qatar.

"Of course, we would do that with the French clubs' agreement. But, for the moment, nothing has been settled."

Nice's Brazilian ace Everson is another player believed to have been pinpointed by Troussier for possible recruitment for Qatar.