Algerian press reports indicate that Luca Zidane, the son of football legend Zinedine Zidane, has decided to change his sporting nationality and represent the Algerian national team. He may be part of the Desert Warriors at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Luca Zidane holds French citizenship, and despite turning 27, he has never received a call-up from the French national team. Algerian officials have been discussing with him the possibility of playing for his father’s native country over the past few months.
According to reports, the president of the Algerian Football Federation, Walid Saadi, played a pivotal role in convincing Luca to represent Algeria. The player agreed and was pleased with the idea of representing his father’s native country, and the two parties have begun the process of changing his sporting nationality with FIFA.
Zidane will not be present at the upcoming international camp in October, but is expected to be present starting with the November break, during which Algeria will play two friendly matches, in preparation for the possible participation in the CAN, scheduled for next December in Morocco.
Luca Zidane plays as a goalkeeper and currently plays for Granada. He began his career with Real Madrid and has also had stints with Racing Club and Rayo Vallecano.
Over the past year, goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz has been the starting goalkeeper for the Algerian national team in most of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and Zidane is expected to compete with him to decide between them.
It is worth noting that the Algerian Football Federation attempted two years ago to sign Zinedine Zidane to succeed Djamel Belmadi as national team coach, but Zidane refused and is still waiting for his chance to lead the French national team after the 2026 World Cup.
