Luca Zidane Joins Algeria for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Luca Zidane, son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane, has switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria and received his first call-up for Algeria's 2026 World Cup qualifying matches. The 27-year-old goalkeeper, currently playing for Granada in Spain's second division, is eligible to represent Algeria through his paternal grandparents from the Kabylie region. FIFA approved his change of national eligibility recently, allowing him to play for the Algerian national team, which is leading its qualifying group and close to securing a spot in the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Algeria’s coach Vladimir Petkovic included Luca in the squad for upcoming matches against Somalia and Uganda, where a win would clinch World Cup qualification. This call-up marks a significant milestone in Luca's career as he embarks on his senior international debut and continues the Zidane legacy in a new national context. Zinedine Zidane's own storied World Cup history with France, including winning the 1998 title, adds symbolic weight to Luca's switch and potential impact with Algeria.