Luca Zidane overlooked again as Algeria turn to Rayane Yesli

Luca Zidane has been left out of Algeria’s squad once again, despite a goalkeeping vacancy being created by Abdelatif Ramdane’s withdrawal from the team preparing to face Togo in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Ramdane was forced to pull out after the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) announced on Sunday that his father had died. The MC Alger goalkeeper, who made his Algeria debut in last month’s 2-1 friendly win against Niger, was released from the squad to deal with the family tragedy.

Algeria head coach Brahim Hemdani has opted to replace him with Rayane Yesli, the 27-year-old goalkeeper from Olympique Akbou. Yesli has been called up to the senior national team for the first time, with the FAF confirming his selection on Monday.

The decision represents another setback for Zidane, who had been expected to have a chance of returning to the Algeria squad after Ramdane’s absence. The 28-year-old Leganes goalkeeper missed Hemdani’s first training camp in September and October because of suspension.

He was then omitted from the squad announced on Thursday for Algeria’s two matches against Togo on 14 and 17 November in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Ramdane’s withdrawal could have reopened the door for Zidane. Instead, the latest selection suggests he has fallen further down the pecking order. The son of Zinedine Zidane is now, at the very least, Hemdani’s fifth-choice goalkeeper, behind Oussama Benbot, Melvin Mastil, Ramdane and Yesli.

Zidane started three of Algeria’s four matches at the 2026 World Cup, although his performances were unconvincing. That came after what had been an encouraging Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

He had spent two matches on the substitutes’ bench for Leganes before returning to the starting line-up on Saturday. Zidane made his 10th appearance of the season in the 3-1 defeat by Albacete.

That return to club duty was not enough to persuade Hemdani to change his decision. The latest omission leaves Zidane facing an uncertain immediate future with Algeria.