Algeria Names Zidane’s Son, Mahrez In 2026 World Cup Squad

Algeria has included Luca Zidane, the son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, in its squad for the upcoming World Cup. The 28-year-old goalkeeper, who recently recovered from a broken jaw and chin sustained while playing for Granada in April, will be joined by 35-year-old forward Riyad Mahrez, now with Saudi club Al-Ahli.

Zidane, who was Algeria’s first-choice keeper during the Africa Cup of Nations, previously represented France at youth levels before switching allegiance to Algeria—the birthplace of his grandparents.

His famous father, Zinedine, scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final to help France win on home soil, and also found the net in the 2006 final before being sent off in a loss to Italy.

Coach Vladimir Petković has also recalled midfielder Nabil Bentaleb, 31, after a seven-month absence. Bentaleb, who last played for Algeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, has spent three seasons with Lille.

Other returnees include Houssem Aouar and Amine Gouiri, both sidelined for the recent Africa Cup of Nations due to injury.

Algeria has been drawn into Group J alongside defending champions Argentina, Austria, and Jordan.

Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Oussama Benbot (USM Alger), Melvin Masstil (Stade Nyonnaise), Luca Zidane (Granada)

Defenders: Achraf Abada (USM Alger), Rayan Ait-Nouri (Manchester City), Zinedine Belaid (JS Kabylie), Rafik Belghali (Verona), Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund), Samir Chergui (Paris FC), Jaouen Hadjam (Young Boys Bern), Aissa Mandi (Lille), Mohamed Amine Tougai (Esperance)

Midfielders: Houssem Aouar (Al-Ittihad), Nabil Bentaleb (Lille), Hicham Boudaoui (Nice), Fares Chaibi (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ibrahim Maza (Bayer Leverkusen), Yassine Titraoui (Charleroi), Ramiz Zerrouki (Twente)

Forwards: Mohamed Amine Amoura (Wolfsburg), Nadir Benbouali (Gyori ETO), Adil Boulbina (Al-Duhail), Fares Ghedjemis (Frosinone), Amine Gouiri (Marseille), Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli), Anis Hadj Moussa (Feyenoord)