As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, Algeria has officially announced its 26-man squad for the tournament, bringing a major story of legacy and comeback to the global football stage. The most high-profile inclusion is 28-year-old goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, who earns his first ever World Cup call-up after recovering from a serious facial injury.
Luca Zidane’s journey to Algeria’s World Cup squad has been defined by choice and resilience. A former youth prospect for France who represented Les Bleus up to the under-20 level, he made the decision to switch allegiances to Algeria, the country where his paternal grandparents were born. He was the Desert Foxes’ starting goalkeeper at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but his season was derailed in April when he suffered broken jaw and chin injuries while playing for Spanish La Liga side Granada. He has since recovered to reclaim his place in the national side, having previously made two senior appearances for Real Madrid before moving to Granada.
Alongside the younger Zidane, 35-year-old veteran forward Riyad Mahrez, the former Manchester City and Leicester City star who currently plies his trade at Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, has also been selected for the squad, bringing decades of top-flight experience to Algeria’s attacking line.
Coach Vladimir Petkovic’s squad also features a number of notable returnees and injury comebacks. Midfielder Nabil Bentaleb, 31, who currently plays for French Ligue 1 side Lille, has earned a recall to the national side seven months after being left out of the squad. Petkovic defended the selection, noting that “We know Bentaleb well; he has all the qualities as a person for the group too. He has shown he’s in form these last few months.” Bentaleb already has World Cup experience, having featured for Algeria at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, the North African nation’s most recent appearance at the World Cup finals.
Two other key players, midfielder Houssem Aouar and forward Amine Gouiri, have also earned spots after missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco earlier this year due to injury. Aouar now plays for Saudi side Al-Ittihad, while Gouir is at French side Olympique de Marseille.
Luca Zidane’s famous father Zinedine Zidane remains one of the most iconic figures in World Cup history. The legendary French midfielder won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, scoring two goals in the final against Brazil, and reached a second final in 2006, where he scored but was sent off in France’s defeat to Italy.
Algeria is set to compete in Group J of the 2026 World Cup, where it will face defending champions Argentina, European side Austria, and Asian representative Jordan. The full squad announced by Petkovic includes three goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders, and seven forwards, with a mix of youth talent from top European clubs and experienced domestic-based players.