Nassim Benaissa joins Al-Shamal to step up in Qatar’s Stars League

Algerian-French midfielder Nassim Benaissa has joined Al-Shamal SC from Al-Markhiya SC, moving up to Qatar’s Stars League after a year with the second-tier club.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder completed the switch on 26 August 2026. No transfer fee has been disclosed for the move, which brings Benaissa into Al-Shamal’s squad after his spell in Qatar Stars League 2.

Benaissa began the 2026-27 season with one appearance before changing clubs, playing the full 90 minutes and providing one assist. He made the starting line-up for that outing and completed the match without receiving a card.

Born in Lyon, France, Benaissa stands 1.86m tall and is right-footed. He has represented both Algeria and France as nationalities, while his club career has taken him through teams in France and Qatar.

He joined Al-Markhiya from Muaither SC on a free transfer in July 2025. At Muaither, he continued his move into Qatari football after leaving Chateauroux B in July 2023, also on a free transfer.

Before heading to Qatar, Benaissa spent time in the development systems of French clubs. He moved from OGC Nice B to Chateauroux B in July 2022, having joined Nice’s reserve side from Olympique Lyon’s under-19 team a year earlier. His youth career began with Lyon, where he progressed from the club’s youth team to the under-17 side in 2017 and then the under-19 squad in 2019.

The move to Al-Shamal represents the latest step in a career that has included football in both France and Qatar. His arrival also places him in the Stars League after his previous club competed in Qatar’s second tier.

Benaissa’s most recent recorded campaign with Al-Markhiya included one assist from his only appearance, with all of his available minutes coming on the pitch. He now joins an Al-Shamal side competing in the country’s top division, although the details of his contract have not been released.

The midfielder’s market value is listed at €275,000, the same figure recorded before his move from Al-Markhiya.

Benaissa is now an Al-Shamal SC player after completing his move from Al-Markhiya on 26 August 2026.