Algeria Call Up Zidane’s Son Luca After Goalkeeper Switches Allegiance

‎Luca Zidane, son of France legend Zinedine Zidane, has received his first call-up to the Algeria national team.

‎The 27-year-old goalkeeper previously represented France at the youth level but never made a senior appearance.

‎Eligible for Algeria through his father’s heritage, he joins the squad as they edge closer to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

‎FIFA approved a change of national eligibility two weeks ago for Zidane, who once played at Real Madrid when his father was coach there. He is now with the Spanish second-division team Granada.

‎Algeria coach, Vladimir Petkovic, picked Zidane in a 26-player squad for qualifying games against Somalia on Oct. 9 and Uganda five days later.

‎Algeria leads the qualifying group by four points, and a win in either of the remaining matches would secure a spot at the World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

‎Algeria has appeared in four FIFA World Cups and reached the round of 16 in its most recent appearance in 2014.

‎Zinedine Zidane played at three World Cups for France, winning the 1998 title at home and losing the final in 2006.

‎His red card in extra time of the 2006 final for headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi is part of World Cup lore and was his final game as a player.