Luca Zidane Receives Historic Call-Up to the Algerian National Team
Goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, has been called up for the first time to the Algerian national team. This news comes at a crucial moment, with Algeria close to securing their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in North America.
Luca Zidane, 27 years old, defended the colors of France in youth categories, but never reached the senior national team. Thanks to his father’s family ties, he is eligible to represent Algeria.
FIFA approved Zidane’s national eligibility change two weeks ago. The goalkeeper, who previously played for Real Madrid during his father’s time as coach, is currently with Granada, a team in the Spanish second division.
Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic included Zidane in a list of 26 players called up for the qualifying matches against Somalia on October 9, and against Uganda five days later.Luca Zidane plays for Granada.Algeria leads its qualifying group with a four-point advantage. A victory in either of the next two matches would secure their presence in the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Algeria has participated in four World Cups and reached the round of 16 in their last appearance, in 2014.
Zinedine Zidane, for his part, played in three World Cups with France, winning the title in 1998 and losing the final in 2006. His red card in the extra time of the 2006 final, after a headbutt on Italian defender Marco Materazzi, is an iconic moment in football and marked his last match as a player.
