Luca Zidane, son of French World Cup icon Zinedine Zidane, has officially switched his international allegiance to Algeria, paving the way for him to represent the North African nation at the 2026 World Cup.

 

 

 

FIFA approved the 27-year-old goalkeeper’s change of association after his appearances for France at junior levels. Currently playing for Spanish second-division side Granada, his decision highlights Algeria’s determination to strengthen their goalkeeping department.

 

 

 

 

In the past year, Algeria have relied on four different goalkeepers — Alexis Guendouz of Mouloudia Alger, Oussama Benbot, Anthony Mandrea, and Alexandre Oukidja — but none have fully secured the position. Zidane’s inclusion could bring the stability they’ve been seeking.

 

 

 

A product of the Real Madrid academy, Luca is the second of four brothers who all came through the Spanish giants’ youth system. He made two senior appearances for Real Madrid, later playing in La Liga with Rayo Vallecano, before moving on to second-tier spells with Eibar and now Granada.

 

 

 

 

 

Though he represented France at several youth levels, including the under-20s, Zidane needed a formal change of allegiance to play for Algeria. His eligibility comes through his father’s heritage, as Zinedine Zidane’s parents hailed from the Kabylie region.

 

Algeria are strong contenders to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America, with a key qualifier against Somalia on the horizon.

 

 

 

Zinedine Zidane himself lifted the World Cup with France in 1998, cementing his place in football history. His career, however, ended in dramatic fashion with a red card in the 2006 World Cup final defeat to Italy.