Zinedine Zidane’s Son Luca Receives First Algeria Call-Up for Crucial World Cup Qualifiers

A new chapter in one of football’s most legendary family names has begun, as Luca Zidane, the son of French soccer great Zinedine Zidane, received his first-ever call-up to the Algerian national team. The announcement, made on Thursday, October 2, 2025, sees the 27-year-old goalkeeper join the “Desert Foxes” for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures.

The call-up comes at a pivotal time, with Algeria on the brink of securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Allegiance Switch Approved

Luca Zidane, who was born in France, previously represented the French national team at youth levels, including winning the 2015 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. However, having never featured for the French senior side, he remained eligible to switch his international allegiance.

His eligibility for Algeria stems from his paternal family ties; Zinedine Zidane’s parents originated from the Kabylie region of Algeria. The official switch of sporting nationality from France to Algeria was approved by FIFA just two weeks ago, paving the way for his inclusion in the senior squad.

Crucial Qualification Matches

Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic named Zidane in a 26-player squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Somalia on October 9 and Uganda five days later, on October 14.

The team currently leads its qualifying group by a commanding four points. A victory in either of the two remaining matches would be enough to secure Algeria’s ticket to the 2026 World Cup, which would mark their fifth appearance at the global tournament.

Club Career and International Ambition

The 27-year-old goalkeeper currently plies his trade in Spain’s second division with Granada. Zidane spent his formative years in the Real Madrid academy, making two senior appearances for the club while his father was the coach. He was also part of the squad that won the Champions League title in 2018.

By choosing to represent Algeria, Luca Zidane is forging his own international path, separate from the storied legacy his father created with France. Zinedine Zidane famously won the World Cup with France in 1998 and was instrumental in their run to the 2006 final. For Luca, this call-up offers the golden opportunity to establish his own World Cup credentials—this time in the green and white of Algeria.