Luca Zidane, son of France’s World Cup-winning playmaker Zinedine, has switched international allegiance to Algeria, putting the goalkeeper in line to follow in his father’s footsteps and play at the World Cup.

Zidane’s switch of allegiance after playing for France at junior level was approved by soccer’s world governing body FIFA on Friday and posted on their Change of Association Platform.

Zidane plays for Spanish second-division outfit Granada and his switch of allegiance is an indication the Algerians are seeking to add more options to their goalkeeping department.

Algeria have used four keepers over the last year of competitive matches, with Alexis Guendouz of Mouloudia Alger the first choice. There have also been appearances for Oussama Benbot, who is also home-based; Anthony Mandrea, who competes in the French third division and Alexandre Oukidja, who plays in the Serbian league.

Zidane, 27, is the second of four brothers, all of whom came through the Real Madrid academy.

He played two matches for Real Madrid and also has La Liga experience at Rayo Vallecano but over the past four seasons competed in the Spanish second division at Eibar and now Granada.

Zidane won caps for France at several junior levels, including under-20, necessitating a formal change of allegiance to be available for Algeria.

He qualifies for the North African country through his father, whose parents hailed from the Kabylie region of Algeria.

Algeria are expected to secure a place at the 2026 finals in North America in their qualifier against Somalia next month.

Zinedine Zidane won the World Cup with France in 1998, starring in their home success, but was sent off in the 2006 final in Germany, where they lost to Italy.

-Reuters

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has confirmed it is preparing a formal response to FIFA after football’s world governing body launched an investigation into the eligibility of midfielder Teboho Mokoena in Bafana Bafana’s recent World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.

SAFA Chief Executive Officer, Lydia Monyepao, revealed on Thursday that the association had received official communication from FIFA on the matter.

“We have received communication from FIFA about the investigation they have launched in terms of the Lesotho match that Teboho Mokoena was fielded; we received it yesterday,” Monyepao said.

According to her, SAFA is compiling the necessary documents and explanations for the FIFA Disciplinary Committee as required. However, she played down concerns that the case could derail Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualification campaign.

“Look, we’re not really worried about that. I think our focus right now is to ensure Bafana Bafana gets maximum points come October, because whatever happens, whether there is docking of points or whatever, if we get six points come October, nothing else matters,” the former Banyana Banyana player remarked.

South Africa are currently competing for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, and Monyepao insisted that on-field results remain the ultimate priority.
“It’s all about Bafana Bafana getting to the World Cup in 2026,” she added.

The outcome of FIFA’s disciplinary review is expected to determine whether South Africa will retain the points gained from the disputed fixture or face sanctions that could affect their qualification standing.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

The investigation into Teboho Mokoena’s eligibility stems from FIFA’s strict rules on player suspensions and disciplinary carry-overs between matches.

Mokoena, a key midfielder for Bafana Bafana, was reportedly cautioned in earlier qualifiers, raising questions about whether he should have been suspended for the Lesotho game. If a player accumulates two yellow cards in different matches during the same competition, FIFA regulations stipulate an automatic one-match ban.

FIFA Rules at a Glance

• Two yellow cards in separate games = automatic suspension for the next match.
• A red card = automatic suspension, pending further sanctions.
• Any team that fields an ineligible or suspended player risks forfeiting the match, usually by a 3–0 scoreline.

Lesotho lodged a complaint after the game, insisting that Mokoena should not have featured. Even without the official complaint, South Africa would still have had case to answer as it happened in the Algeria-Nigeria World Cup qualifying match in which Algeria did not even protest.

FIFA has since acknowledged the protest and opened a case file.

For SAFA, the stakes are high. A points deduction or forfeiture could dent South Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, depending on how tight Group standings become. This Saturday is the deadline for South Africa to state their case on why an ineligble player was fielded.

However, SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao insists that even in a worst-case scenario, Bafana Bafana’s path remains in their own hands if they secure victories in the upcoming October qualifiers.

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