Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane will not miss any matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite receiving a two-game suspension from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday.
The ban, confirmed by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), stems from incidents following Algeria’s 2–0 defeat to Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinal on January 10 in Morocco. Zidane, 27, will instead serve his suspension during the 2027 AFCON qualifiers starting in September.
Concerns had arisen that the ban might prevent Zidane from playing in Algeria’s World Cup opener against defending champions Argentina on June 16, followed by their second match against Jordan on June 22. However, the suspension will not affect the tournament.
Defender Rafik Belkhili was also penalized with a four-game ban, though two of those matches are suspended, meaning he will serve the remaining two during AFCON qualifying. The Algerian federation has already launched an appeal against the sanctions and fines totaling $100,000, imposed for misconduct by players, officials, and fans.
During the controversial quarterfinal, five Algerian players received yellow cards, and several confronted Senegalese referee Issa Sy. Zidane was seen shoving Nigeria midfielder Raphael Onyedik, while Belkhili followed Sy down the tunnel after the match.
“Following these decisions, the Algerian Football Federation immediately initiated the appeals process stipulated by the regulations in force to contest these sanctions,” the FAF said. “The federation will follow developments closely and reaffirms its commitment to defending Algerian football within regulatory and institutional channels.”
CAF is also investigating the incidents that caused a more than 15-minute delay in the AFCON final, when Senegal players briefly walked off the pitch in protest of a late penalty awarded to Morocco. The penalty was missed, and Senegal ultimately secured a 1–0 victory in extra time.
