Zinedine Zidane’s son named in World Cup squad – but it’s not France

Luca Zidane has been selected for the 26-man Algeria squad for the World Cup.

The 28-year-old is the son of French football icon and 1998 World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, and plays for LaLiga 2 side Granada.

AFP

After playing at various youth levels for France, he has won six caps at international level through his Algerian descent.

Zidane even played at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, and was involved in a mass brawl during their 2-0 defeat to Nigeria.

Head coach Vladimir Petkovic has now named him in his World Cup squad for the summer.

And Zidane is one of four goalkeepers to have been picked, despite most nations bringing only three to the tournament.

His call-up comes after making 26 appearances in La Liga 2 this season, keeping eight clean sheets in total.

Since joining Granada from fellow Spanish side Eibar in 2024, he’s played 45 games for the club.

Joining Zidane in Algeria’s squad is Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri, as well as former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Nabil Bentaleb.

Riyadh Mahrez, formerly of Man City and now at Al Ahli, is among Algeria’s attacking options.

Who do Algeria play at the World Cup?

Algeria almost had a perfect run in the Confederation of African Football qualification as they won eight of their ten matches.

They finished top and seven points clear of Uganda to automatically progress to this summer’s finals.

Getty

AFP

Reigning champions Argentina are their first Group J test on June 17, before fixtures against Jordan and Austria.

If Algeria finish second in their group, they could face England in the last 16.

Algeria would have to beat the winner of Group H, which consists of Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

England would also need to finish as runners-up in Group L and then the second-place team in Group K.

One of Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia would be their last 32 opposition.

Should all of this happen, then England will face Algeria in Arlington, Texas on July 6 for a place in the quarter-finals.

Algeria will play at their fifth World Cup, with 2014 being their most recent appearance.