Luca Zidane switches allegiance to Algeria from France

Luca Zidane, the 27 year old goalkeeper and son of former France and Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane, has switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria, the Algerian Football Federation said on Friday. FIFA’s change of association platform showed the authorization was granted on Friday, clearing the Granada goalkeeper to represent the North African side at senior level.

"FIFA officially granted goalkeeper Luca Zinedine Zidane authorisation to represent the Algerian national team," the federation said in a statement. Zidane, who has played for Granada in Spain’s second division this season, had represented France at youth levels from Under 16 through Under 20 but never received a senior cap, leaving him eligible to play for Algeria through his paternal grandparents.

The move comes as Algeria builds momentum on two fronts. The national team has already qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to begin December 21 in Morocco. In World Cup qualifying, Algeria sits atop its group with 19 points after eight matches and needs a win against Somalia or a draw with Uganda in October to secure a place at the 2026 World Cup. The letter assigned to Algeria’s...