due to france's victory at the uefa under-19 championship, the nation qualified for the 2011 fifa u-20 world cup, which merited under-20 team appearances for tafer. after missing the team's opening match of the season against portugal, he made his under-20 debut in the team's 1–0 win over montenegro. on 17 may 2011, tafer scored his first goal for the team in its 3–3 draw with the united states netting france's opening goal. in the return match two days later, he scored the game-winning goal in a 2–1 win. tafer later participated in the 2011 toulon tournament with the under-20 team and scored a goal in a 4–1 group stage win over mexico. on 10 june, tafer was named to the 21-man squad to participate in the u-20 world cup. he made his debut in the competition on 30 july 2011 in the team's 4–1 defeat to the hosts colombia appearing as a substitute. tafer is also eligible to represent algeria and portugal at international level.