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Hemdani leaves Luca Zidane out of Algeria squad for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

Expected to rejoin the Fennecs after his suspension, Luca Zidane is not included in the squad announced by Brahim Hemdani for the double header against Togo on November 14 and 17.

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Hemdani leaves Luca Zidane out of Algeria squad for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
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Luca Zidane will not rejoin the Algeria national team for the upcoming gathering. Brahim Hemdani unveiled his squad on Thursday for the double confrontation against Togo on November 14 and 17, as part of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and the Leganés goalkeeper is not part of it.

The son of Zinédine Zidane had become eligible again. Suspended during the previous gathering following incidents after the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Nigeria, the 28-year-old goalkeeper had served his ban. Hemdani nevertheless chose to prefer Melvin Mastil and Abdellatif Ramdane, with Kilian Belazzoug also included in the squad.

This non-selection comes in a delicate context for Zidane. His performances at the World Cup had drawn criticism, and his club situation at Leganés does not work in his favour in the eyes of the manager.

Beyond this case, the squad includes several notable changes. Nabil Bentaleb, Yacine Titraoui, Hicham Boudaoui and Rafik Belghali — also returning after suspension — rejoin the group. Two new faces make their appearance: Fahem Benaïssa-Yahia and Abdelnour Soualhiya. Rayan Aït-Nouri, struggling at Manchester City, is also absent from the selection.

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