Luca Zidane, son of French World Cup legend Zinedine Zidane, has officially switched his international allegiance to Algeria, clearing the path for him to represent the North African nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA confirmed the 27-year-old goalkeeper’s change of association after his appearances for France at youth levels.
Currently playing for Spanish second-division side Granada, Zidane’s decision underscores Algeria’s efforts to reinforce their goalkeeping options.
The Algerian national team has rotated between four different goalkeepers over the past year Alexis Guendouz, Oussama Benbot, Anthony Mandrea, and Alexandre Oukidja but none has cemented the position.
Zidane’s addition could provide the stability they have been searching for.
A graduate of Real Madrid’s academy, Luca is the second of four Zidane brothers to come through the club’s youth system.
He made two senior appearances for Real Madrid before stints with Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, Eibar, and now Granada.
Although he represented France at youth level, including the U-20s, he required a formal change of allegiance to join Algeria.
His eligibility stems from his father’s heritage, as Zinedine Zidane’s parents are from the Kabylie region.
Algeria remain strong contenders to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America, with a crucial qualifier against Somalia approaching.
Zinedine Zidane himself famously lifted the World Cup with France in 1998 but ended his international career with a red card in the 2006 final defeat to Italy.
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