Algeria Name Luca Zidane And Riyad Mahrez In World Cup Squad

Algeria have handed Luca Zidane, son of France legend Zinedine Zidane, a call-up to his first World Cup tournament.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper was Algeria’s first-choice stopper at the Africa Cup of Nations before breaking his jaw and chin in April while playing for Spanish club Granada.

Zidane represented France up to under-20 level before choosing to represent Algeria, the country where his grandparents were born.

Former Manchester City and Leicester forward Riyad Mahrez, now 35 and playing for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, will also feature at the tournament.

Former Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb has been recalled by coach Vladimir Petkovic after seven months away from the squad.

Bentaleb, 31, has spent the past three seasons at Lille in France and played at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Algeria’s most recent appearance at the finals.

“We know Bentaleb well; he has all the qualities as a person for the group too,” said Petkovic. “He has shown he’s in form these last few months.”

Houssem Aouar and Amine Gouiri also earn places after missing the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco through injury.

Algeria will compete in Group J alongside holders Argentina, Austria, and Jordan at this summer’s tournament.

Zinedine Zidane scored twice against Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final and also scored, before being sent off, in the 2006 final defeat by Italy.

The full squad includes defenders Ramy Bensebaini of Borussia Dortmund and Rayan Ait-Nouri of Manchester City among its most recognisable names.

Midfielders Ibrahim Maza of Bayer Leverkusen and Fares Chaibi of Eintracht Frankfurt are also included in Petkovic’s 26-man selection.

Mohamed Amine Amoura of Wolfsburg and Anis Hadj Moussa of Feyenoord complete the attacking options available to the Algeria coaching staff.

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