Representatives are also canceled
©IMAGO
Algerian number 1 Luca Zidane, son of legend Zinédine Zidane, is threatening to miss the World Cup. The 27-year-old goalkeeper suffered a concussion in his FC Granada’s LaLiga2 game against UD Almería (2:4) on Sunday after a collision shortly before the end of the game and was taken to a clinic. The Andalusian club later announced that Zidane had been diagnosed with a broken jaw and chin. Although no exact downtime is known, participation in the World Cup is more than questionable due to the severity of the injury.
For Algeria under national coach Vladimir Petkovic, this could be the third goalkeeper to miss the World Cup in just two weeks. SM Cean’s Anthony Mandréa (29, 21 caps) recently announced his retirement from the World Cup due to a shoulder injury. Melvin Mastil (26), from Swiss club Stade Nyonnais, who was nominated for the first time in March, suffered a hernia two weeks ago and is also out. Zidane has played six international matches since his naturalization in autumn 2025. Young keeper Kilian Belazzoug (19) from Stade Rennes was also recently nominated, but he has not yet played as a professional.
Petkovic will probably have to look for alternatives in the local league, but here too not without obstacles: Oussama Benbout (31), who recently played well in the CAF Confederations Cup, from USM Algiers resigned after the Africa Cup in protest at not being given a chance in the national team.
