According to the Algerian newspaper Echourouk, national team manager Vladimir Petković has decided to drop goalkeeper Luca Zidane from the starting lineup for the upcoming match against Jordan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The son of football legend Zinedine Zidane faced a wave of harsh criticism following a series of costly mistakes in Algeria’s opening World Cup match against Argentina. Those errors ultimately led to a 3-0 defeat for the Desert Warriors, with Lionel Messi netting all three goals.
Recent reports indicate that Petković has chosen to rely on backup goalkeeper Oussama Benbot to guard the net against Jordan, relegating Luca Zidane to the bench.
Industry insiders highly doubt that Zidane will feature in any other match during this World Cup following his underwhelming performance against Argentina. In fact, reports suggest his status could drop further, potentially falling to third-choice goalkeeper.
Tactical Shift: There is a strong belief within the Algerian coaching staff that goalkeeper Melvin Mastil also deserves an opportunity. For the remainder of the Desert Warriors’ World Cup campaign, the competition to protect the nation’s goal will be strictly between Benbot and Mastil.
Luca Zidane officially joined the Algerian national team in November 2025 after successfully switching his international allegiance from France. He later participated in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where he also faced criticism for his performance during the quarter-final clash against Nigeria.
