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The Zidane name is set to make its return to the FIFA World Cup, but this time in a surprising twist.
Luca Zidane's international career path diverges significantly from that of his father. Although born in France, he represented the French national team at various youth levels. However, since he never played a competitive senior match for France, FIFA regulations permitted him to change his sporting nationality. His eligibility to play for Algeria is rooted in his family's heritage; Zinedine Zidane's parents emigrated from the Kabylia region of Algeria in 1953, allowing Luca to claim Algerian citizenship. Following FIFA's approval of his switch in September 2025, Luca has earned six senior caps and participated in the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
Interestingly, Zinedine Zidane never played for Algeria, despite being eligible. The former France captain dedicated his entire international career to France, debuting in 1994 and leading the team to victory in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2000. Over the years, a myth circulated that he was rejected by Algeria's former coach Abdelhamid Kermali for not being "fast enough." Zidane has consistently denied this claim, stating that France was always his sporting home. Now, nearly three decades after his father first graced the international stage, Luca will carry the family name to the World Cup through a different path.
Petković's final squad features a mix of seasoned players and returning internationals. Captain Riyad Mahrez headlines the attack, supported by record appearance-holder Aïssa Mandi and former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Nabil Bentaleb. Notably, Luca's inclusion comes after he recovered from a broken chin and jaw sustained while playing for Granada in April. Since making his Algeria debut last October, he has joined a goalkeeping group that includes Oussama Benbot and Melvin Mastil, and he has made 26 appearances in Spain's Segunda División this season.
Algeria qualified impressively for the expanded 48-team tournament, winning eight of their ten CAF qualifying matches and finishing seven points clear of Uganda at the top of their group. This will be Algeria's fifth World Cup appearance and their first since reaching the Round of 16 in Brazil 2014. Petković's side has been drawn into Group J alongside defending champions Argentina, Austria, and Jordan. Algeria will kick off their campaign against Argentina in Kansas City on June 17, following warm-up matches against the Netherlands and Bolivia. For the first time in World Cup history, the Zidane name will be represented in an Algeria squad, as Luca embarks on his own World Cup journey.
