Zinedine Zidane’s Son Left Out of Algeria’s AFCON Qualifying Squad

Algeria coach Brahim Hemdani has left goalkeeper Luca Zidane and defender Rayan Aït-Nouri out of his 26-man squad for this month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Togo. Hemdani said Zidane’s omission was based on sporting criteria, including the need to select goalkeepers getting regular playing time. He named Oussama Benbot, Melvin Mastil and Abdelatif Ramdane instead. Zidane, 28, has recently missed international duty through injury and suspension. He switched his international allegiance to Algeria in September 2025, drawing on his family’s roots there. Aït-Nouri was also omitted after being sent home in September following a reported disagreement with the coaching staff. Hemdani said neither player was permanently excluded. Algeria face Togo on November 14 and 17. They lead qualifying Group I with four points from two matches, ahead of Zambia and Burundi.

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