Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic is exploring several options in an attempt to resolve goalkeeping crisis ahead of the 2026 World Cup tournament, to be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The North African football powerhouse has been pitted in a tough group at the global showpiece following the draw in December 2025. Algeria will compete in Group J against defending champions, Argentina, Jordan and Austria.
However, Algeria have stepped up their preparation in an attempt to make a meaning impact at the biggest soccer mundial scheduled for mid-2026.
Since the arrival of coach Petkovic, the Algerian goalkeeping department has experienced series of changes due to dissatisfaction of performance of previous shot stoppers.
Despite Luca Zidane, the son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, becoming the first-choice goalkeeper since joining last October, his position is no longer guaranteed. He kept the post as Algeria reached the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco.
According to reports, the Algerian Football Federation is working closely with the coaching staff to end the period of uncertainty surrounding the goalkeeping department and build a strong future project.
The extended squad for the upcoming preparations includes three prominent young goalkeepers, Melvin Mastel (25 years old), who plays regularly for Swiss club Stade Nyon on loan from Lausanne-Sport, Abdullah Al-Aidani (22 years old), who recently joined Italian side Modena in search of more playing time and Kylian Belazouk (19 years old), who continues to develop with the reserve team of French club Rennes and is considered one of the most promising talents.
A common factor among these three goalkeepers is their height and large physique (1.94 m, 1.95 m and 1.98 m), reflecting the technical staff’s desire to rely on a strong physical presence inside the penalty area.
Next March’s training camp could be a crucial turning point in the goalkeeping battle, as the outstanding performance of any of these goalkeepers could rearrange the priorities of the coaching staff, and put Luca Zidane in front of a real challenge to maintain his place, and perhaps determine who will accompany the national team to the World Cup in America next summer.
