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Algeria have been hit by a significant injury scare ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with goalkeeper Luca Zidane emerging as a major doubt for the tournament.
The Granada shot stopper, son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, suffered a serious facial injury during a Spanish second division match against Almeria on Sunday.
Disaster strikes in the Segunda División clash
The 27-year-old goalkeeper was forced off the pitch after a heavy clash with Almeria striker Thalys, which initially left him with concussion.
However, subsequent medical evaluations have painted a much bleaker picture for the former Real Madrid man as he prepares for the biggest summer of his career.
Granada confirmed the extent of the injury in an official club statement, which read: “Medical tests have revealed that the goalkeeper has also suffered a fractured jaw and chin.”
The injury is expected to rule him out for the rest of the domestic season, leaving his international ambitions hanging in the balance.
World Cup dreams in jeopardy
The timing could not have been worse for Zidane, who has recently established himself as a key figure for the Fennecs.
Algeria are scheduled to begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 against reigning world champions Argentina in Kansas City, leaving the goalkeeper with a race against time to prove his fitness.
After officially switching allegiance from France to Algeria last year, the Marseille-born star had been “ready to give everything” for the country of his grandparents. Now his participation depends on the speed of his recovery and a looming decision on surgical intervention.
Surgery threatens for the Granada star
Granada and Zidane are currently considering the next steps, with surgery likely to significantly prolong his spell on the sidelines and almost certainly rule him out of the summer festivities.
The club added: “The player, in consultation with the club’s medical staff, will decide in the coming hours on the course of treatment to be followed for his injury.”
Petkovic faces goalkeeper headache
Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic will be watching the situation closely as Zidane had started four of the nation’s five matches during the last Africa Cup of Nations.
The goalkeeper also played the full 90 minutes in a recent goalless draw against Uruguay, cementing his status as a regular in the national team.
If Zidane is unable to recover in time for the trip to North America, Petkovic will have to look elsewhere for experience between the sticks.
For Zidane, who has spent the majority of his career carving his own path in the Spanish second tier, missing out on the world stage after finally stepping out of his famous father’s shadow would be a cruel blow.
