Luca Zidane receives a call-up from Algeria to the World Cup qualifiers

The Algerian national team has called up Luca Zidane, son of French football star Zinedine Zidane, for their final two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games.

Last month, the 27-year-old goalie, who plays for Granada in the second level of Spain, changed his national team allegiance from France to Algeria.

Zidane was qualified to play for the North African country through his paternal grandparents, despite having played for Les Bleus at the youth level but never making it into the senior group.

With 19 points, Algeria leads their World Cup qualifying group right now. A victory over Somalia next week will secure their place in the world championship.

In their crucial matchup with Uganda in second place, they will still have another chance if they falter.

Zidane’s first international appearance may also be a lead-up to Algeria’s already-confirmed participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

After graduating from Real Madrid’s renowned academy in 2004, the goalie made his first-team debut in 2018 and was a member of the side that won the UEFA Champions League that year. He played for Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid Castilla before joining Granada, where he is currently the team’s starting goalkeeper.

The younger Zidane is carrying on his family’s legacy on the international scene as he attempts to help Algeria qualify for the World Cup. Luca Zidane’s father, Zinedine, was born in Marseille to parents from Bejaia, Algeria.