Luca Zidane, the 27-year-old goalkeeper and son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane, has earned his maiden call-up to the Algerian national team ahead of their final two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
Zidane, who recently switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria, had previously represented Les Bleus at youth levels but never broke into the senior squad. His decision to play for Algeria, the homeland of his paternal grandparents, marks a significant step in his career and adds depth to the Desert Foxes’ goalkeeping options.
Currently playing for Granada in Spain’s second division, Zidane has shown resilience and consistency between the posts. He joined Real Madrid’s youth academy in 2004 and went on to represent the club’s reserve team before making his senior debut in the 2017/18 La Liga season. He was also part of the squad when Real Madrid lifted their 13th UEFA Champions League trophy in 2018, serving as third-choice goalkeeper.
Algeria, who are at the top of their qualifying group with 19 points, are well-positioned to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup. A victory against Somalia in their next fixture would seal their qualification, though they would still have a chance to confirm their place in their final group game against second-placed Uganda.
In addition to their World Cup campaign, the North Africans have already booked their place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, set to kick off on December 21 in Morocco. Zidane’s arrival offers coach Djamel Belmadi additional options as Algeria continue their push to reaffirm dominance on the continental stage.
Though Zinedine Zidane himself was born in Marseille, France, the family traces its roots to a small village in Bejaia, around 250 kilometres east of Algiers—a connection that now continues through Luca’s international career.
Zidane’s call-up is expected to attract attention from both Algerian supporters and international football fans, given his famous lineage and long-awaited decision to commit to Algeria at senior level.