Luca Zidane called up by Algeria for World Cup qualifiers

Luca Zidane, the 27-year-old goalkeeper and son of former France captain Zinedine Zidane, has been called up by Algeria for the national team's remaining 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Somalia on October 9 and Uganda on October 14, coach Vladimir Petkovic announced. FIFA approved Zidane's change of national eligibility two weeks ago, clearing him to represent Algeria after previously appearing for France at youth level but never for the senior side.

Petkovic included Zidane among three goalkeepers in a 26-player squad as Algeria sits atop Group G and is poised to secure a place at next year's World Cup in North America. The team leads the group by four points, and a victory in either of the two upcoming fixtures would mathematically clinch qualification for the tournament cohosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Zidane is eligible for Algeria through his paternal family. His grandparents hailed from the Kabylie region, with family ties to the Bejaia area. He developed at Real Madrid's academy, making a first-team appearance late in the 2017-18 season, and has since had spells in Spain's top division and the second tier. After time with Rayo Vallecano and a...