Luca Zidane, the son of legendary French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, has officially switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria, opening the door for him to represent the North African nation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The decision was confirmed by FIFA on Friday through its Change of Association platform, following Luca’s formal request to represent Algeria. Although he previously played for France at youth level, the 27-year-old goalkeeper has now opted to follow in the footsteps of his father’s heritage, as Zinedine’s parents hailed from the Kabylie region of Algeria.
Currently playing for Granada in Spain’s second division, Zidane’s move comes at a time when Algeria is looking to strengthen its goalkeeping options. Over the past year, the Desert Foxes have rotated between four different keepers, with Alexis Guendouz of Mouloudia Alger serving as the primary choice. Others, including Oussama Benbot, Anthony Mandrea, and Alexandre Oukidja, have also featured. Zidane’s addition offers fresh competition and international-level experience.
Luca Zidane, the second of four brothers who all came through the Real Madrid academy, began his career with Los Blancos, making two senior appearances before moving on to Rayo Vallecano, Eibar, and now Granada. Despite limited top-flight exposure, his pedigree and experience in Spain’s highly competitive leagues make him a valuable asset for Algeria.
Speaking of his eligibility, Zidane had already represented France at several junior levels, including the U-20 side, which required him to formally change associations to be eligible for Algeria.
For Algeria, this move comes at a critical moment as the team is on course to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America, with a crucial qualifier against Somalia next month.
Zidane’s father, Zinedine Zidane, remains one of football’s greatest icons, having inspired France to World Cup glory in 1998. His international career, however, ended in dramatic fashion with a red card in the 2006 World Cup final, where France lost to Italy.
With Luca Zidane now embracing his Algerian roots, fans are hopeful he can bring stability between the posts and play a role in guiding the Desert Foxes to success on the world stage.
