PARIS: Luca Zidane, son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane, has officially switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria, paving the way for him to feature for the North African country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA approved the 27-year-old goalkeeper’s request for a change of association after he represented France at youth levels, including the under-20s.
Currently playing for Spanish second-tier side Granada, Zidane’s decision is seen as a major boost for Algeria’s goalkeeping department.
In the past year, Algeria have rotated through four different goalkeepers Alexis Guendouz (Mouloudia Alger), Oussama Benbot, Anthony Mandrea, and Alexandre Oukidja without finding a consistent first choice. Luca Zidane is expected to provide the stability the team has been seeking.
A graduate of the Real Madrid academy, Luca is the second of four Zidane brothers who all trained at the Spanish giants.
He made two senior appearances for Real Madrid before playing in La Liga with Rayo Vallecano, and later in the second division with Eibar and Granada.
His eligibility comes through heritage, as Zinedine Zidane’s parents were from Algeria’s Kabylie region. Though born and raised in France, Luca needed FIFA clearance to make the switch since he had already played for French youth teams.
Algeria are considered strong contenders to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They face a crucial qualifier against Somalia in the coming weeks.
Zinedine Zidane himself, one of football’s greatest icons, won the 1998 World Cup with France, but his illustrious career ended dramatically with a red card in the 2006 World Cup final defeat to Italy.
With his son now pledging to represent Algeria, the Zidane legacy continues on a new path one that could make headlines at the next World Cup.
