Algeria open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Argentina on Tuesday, and between the posts will be a man carrying one of football's most recognisable surnames. Luca Zidane, son of Zinedine Zidane, starts in goal for Les Fennecs. He will be wearing a protective mask after fracturing his chin and jaw in a club match in April. This will be his eighth cap for Algeria, a nation he only began representing in October 2025.
Why did Luca Zidane choose to play for Algeria and not France or Spain?
Luca was born in Marseille in 1998 but spent most of his childhood in Madrid. That upbringing gave him three legitimate international options: France, where his father became a legend; Spain, the country that developed him as a footballer; and Algeria, the homeland of his paternal grandparents.
For years, he went the French route. He wore the France U-17 shirt and was central to their European Championship run, famously saving three penalties against Belgium in the semifinal. It looked like a settled path.
Then, in September 2024, Algerian football authorities confirmed his eligibility through his grandparents' roots. Within a month, the call-up arrived. On 14 October 2025, he made his senior debut in a World Cup qualifier against Uganda, playing all 90 minutes in a 2-1 win. He has not looked back since, earning seven more caps under coach Vladimir Petkovic before Tuesday's opener.
The reasons were personal. "We've lived in an Algerian culture since we were small," Zidane told The Athletic. "It's an honour to play for Algeria. The final decision was mine, but I spoke with my family, my parents, my brothers, my grandfather. My father was happy, he knew it was something I wanted to do. To be able to play in a World Cup is a dream for any kid."
His brothers faced similar choices. Each of the four Zidane sons grew up eligible for three nations, and each arrived at his own answer.
Why is Luca Zidane wearing a mask against Argentina?
The mask is not a style choice. In April, while playing for his club side Granada, Zidane collided badly and fractured both his chin and jaw. He needed surgery and spent over a month on the sidelines. His first return to a pitch came during Algeria's pre-tournament friendlies earlier this month.
He marked that comeback well. Against the Netherlands on 3 June, he kept a clean sheet and made six saves as Algeria won 1-0. The mask stays on for protection, and it was firmly in place when he lined up against Messi's Argentina to open Group J.
After Argentina, Algeria face Jordan and then Austria to complete their group stage.
