Luca Zidane OUT of 2026 FIFA World Cup

In a massive blow to the Algerian national football team, goalkeeper Luca Zidane could potentially be out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup following recent developments. The son of former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane was representing Algeria in the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Desert Foxes were dumped out of the competition after Nigeria beat them 2-0 in the quarterfinals. Now comes the news of Luca Zidane suspension for the first two games, which will surely come as icing on this joyful cake for the Algerian Football Federation.

Luca got himself into the crosshairs of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after getting into a physical altercation with Nigerian players in protest of referee decisions in their match. His actions have now earned him and teammate Rafik Belghali two-game suspensions apiece. The conclusion of AFCON 2025 saw Senegal crowned as champions as they rose in the AFCON winners' list.

Luca Zidane Suspension Following AFCON Loss To Nigeria

According to The Guardian's Romain Molina, Luca Zidane is going to be suspended by the CAF Disciplinary Committee; however, the Algerian Football Federation is looking to appeal the sanctions.

All hell broke loose after the match referee blew his whistle after 90 minutes.

Algerian players, believing they were unfairly treated throughout the game by referee Issa Sy, surrounded him immediately. Frustration reached a boiling point after Sy shook hands with two of the Nigerian players, prompting Zidane and his teammates to give him a piece of their mind and get involved in physical tussles with some of the opposition players.

How Many Games Will Luca Zidane Miss After Suspension?

The duration of the suspension imposed by the CAF on Luca Zidane is two games. The timeline of the ban will result in the Algerian player missing two games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to start in June. However, the instance of Zidane missing the World Cup is subject to whether he is selected for the national team or incurs an injury.

Alongside Luca Zidane, teammate Rafik Belghali will also miss the chance to represent his country in the FIFA World Cup.

Supporters of Algeria state that Zidane acted out of passion and justify the referee Issa Sy and his conduct as the main catalyst. Some fans feel that no matter the stakes, the violent behavior undermines the spirit of the game and sets a harmful precedent.

Football is a sport watched by millions globally, and how the CAF responds to the appeal by the Algerian Football Federation will be something fans will be keeping a close eye on in the coming weeks.