Zidane's son: The story of the Algeria goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup
Luca Zidane, son of the legendary Zinedine Zidane, prepares for his World Cup debut with Algeria against Argentina.
On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Algeria begins their World Cup campaign with a high-stakes match against Argentina. Fans will be watching a familiar name in a different role: Luca Zidane will be guarding the net for the Fennecs. At 28 years old, the son of the legendary midfielder Zinedine Zidane is forging his own path as a professional goalkeeper, stepping out of his father's illustrious shadow.
Born in Marseille, Luca spent most of his youth development within the Real Madrid academy system. Despite representing France at the youth international level, he ultimately chose to represent Algeria. The decision is rooted in family heritage, serving as a tribute to his late paternal grandfather, who was born in the African nation.
FIFA approved his change of sporting nationality in September 2025. Since then, he has become a regular fixture in Vladimir Petkovic's squad, gaining experience during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup qualifying campaign. He now enters his first World Cup as one of the most recognizable faces of the Algerian team.
The debut match against the defending champions, Argentina, will be a significant test, with Lionel Messi set to face off against him in his sixth World Cup appearance. For Luca, it is a pivotal opportunity to establish his own legacy on the international stage, relying on the experience gained throughout his career in Spain with clubs like Eibar and Granada.