One of the most iconic names in football history is set to have a representative at the 2026 World Cup this summer.

The player in question carved out a professional career very much in his own right, spending his career to date in Spain and putting in work that has earned him international recognition. But it’s his surname, and the man who made it famous, that inevitably draws the attention. This summer, he will have the opportunity to step out of a massive shadow on the biggest stage football has to offer.

What makes his inclusion particularly notable, however, is not simply who he is. It’s how he’s been selected, with his squad inclusion raising more than a few eyebrows.

Zinedine Zidane’s Son Named in World Cup Squad, as One of Four Goalkeepers

As reported by TalkSport, Luca Zidane, son of French football legend and 1998 World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, has been named in Algeria’s 26-man squad for the World Cup by head coach Vladimir Petkovic. The 28-year-old goalkeeper, who plays for LaLiga 2 side Granada, has been selected as one of four goalkeepers in the squad, an unusual decision given that the vast majority of nations travel to a World Cup with no more than three.

Zidane represented France at under-16 level, up to the under-20s, but never earned a senior cap for Les Bleus. He’s been capped six times for Algeria at senior level, qualifying through his Algerian descent. His appearances include matches at the African Cup of Nations earlier this year, where he was involved in a mass brawl during Algeria’s 2-0 defeat to Nigeria. His club form has been rather solid, with 26 appearances in La Liga 2 this season, keeping eight clean sheets.

He’ll be joined in the squad by some considerably higher-profile names, including Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri and former Tottenham midfielder Nabil Bentaleb, while Riyad Mahrez, now at Al Ahli following his departure from City, leads the attacking options.

Algeria’s Prospects, and Their Path Through the World Cup

Algeria and Zidane arrive at the tournament in decent form, having navigated CAF qualification impressively, winning eight of their ten matches and finishing seven points clear of Uganda to progress automatically.

Their group stage draw is a stern one, however. Reigning world champions Argentina await in Group J on the 17th of June, before fixtures against Jordan and Austria. It’s a group that demands Algeria hit the ground running if they are to progress, but should they finish second, a potential last-16 tie against England in Arlington, Texas on the 6th of July could be on the cards, assuming England come through their own group as runners-up and both sides navigate their last-32 ties.

For Luca Zidane, the World Cup represents a chance to write his own chapter and step out of the enormous shadow of his father. The name on the back of his shirt will always invite comparison, but what happens on the pitch this summer is entirely up to him.

Manchester United want to add more firepower to their squad this summer, and they are ready to make a move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, according to CaughtOffside.

Man United were the third-highest scorers in the Premier League this season, only scoring two fewer than champions Arsenal, but it appears as though club chiefs want to further boost the frontline next season, especially with the return of Champions League football to Old Trafford.

Much of the talk in recent weeks has been around the new midfielders the Red Devils could add to their squad, with up to three new faces expected to arrive in that position should Manuel Ugarte follow Casemiro through the exit door.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that only something ‘crazy’ will stop United completing a deal to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson, while they continue to be linked with a host of other midfielders as they look to complete a major rebuild.

Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson is their top target, but a deal is unlikely because of Forest’s transfer fee demands and the fact that the player’s preference would be to join Manchester City instead.

Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni, Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes are among their other targets.

Man United Make Dusan Vlahovic Big-Name Target

According to CaughtOffside, United are also ready to complete a ‘major attacking rebuild’ this summer, and they have five strikers on their radar ahead of the transfer window opening on June 15.

While Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen is the ‘dream’ target, they have also identified Juventus centre-forward Dusan Vlahovic as another big-name player on their shortlist.

Benjamin Sesko is currently leading the line at Old Trafford with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo playing back-up, but the club are said to want stronger depth and different profiles alongside the impressive Slovenian.

United are likely to look to replace Joshua Zirkzee in the squad, with the Netherlands international being linked with a move back to Serie A.

Dusan Vlahovic Faces Uncertain Summer

With his contract due to expire at the end of next month, Vlahovic is about to be one of the hottest free agents on the market.

CaughtOffside claim that should his exit from Juventus be confirmed in the coming weeks, then United won’t be alone in their pursuit of the Serbia international.

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are also keen on the 26-year-old, who has scored 68 goals in 168 matches for Juve since joining them in 2022.

One of the potential hurdles to any deal for the big striker is his salary, with Vlahovic currently earning around £400,000-a-week at the Allianz Stadium.

He will need to reduce that wage significantly if he wants to secure a move to most clubs in Europe, including United, who are looking to offload more high earners this summer following the departure of Casemiro, with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford also on huge wages at Old Trafford.

Liverpool have made Andoni Iraola the clear favourite to be the club’s next manager following the shock dismissal of Arne Slot on Saturday, and they are already in talks over a potential big signing for the Spaniard.

Liverpool announced on Monday that they had sacked Slot following a disappointing season, which saw them finish 25 points adrift of champions Arsenal as they looked to defend the Premier League title they won in the Dutchman’s debut campaign in charge.

While they did secure Champions League qualification by finishing fifth, they conceded more goals (53) than in any other Premier League season in their history, with club chiefs deciding it was time for change.

It makes sense too with some big changes happening on the pitch, with the exits of Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Salah already confirmed, while it was announced on Sunday that Ibrahima Konate will be leaving Anfield when his contract expires at the end of next month.

Liverpool have decided they want to appoint Iraola as Slot’s successor, with formal talks expected to start this week.

The Spaniard led Bournemouth to an exceptional season in the English top flight, where they finished one place and three points behind the Merseyside club to secure qualification for the Europa League, all after losing Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City in January.

Liverpool Ahead in Race to Sign Yan Diomande

Liverpool have already decided they need to invest in their frontline this summer with Salah leaving the club, and RB Leipzig sensation Yan Diomande has emerged as one of their top winger targets.

According to Sport, some of the biggest clubs in Europe are interested in prising him away from the Bundesliga club this summer.

That includes Liverpool, who are considered to be ahead in the race for his signature, although Leipzig are said to be standing firm on their €100m (£87m) valuation of the exciting teenager.

According to Sport, the 19-year-old is leaning towards a switch to Anfield despite interest from other huge clubs like Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool In Talks With Diomande’s Agents Over Terms

The report adds that Liverpool have already started negotiations with the player’s agents over personal terms for a move to the Premier League, and that his representatives have expressed the willingness for their client to join.

The Reds are said to have promised the Ivory Coast international a prominent role at Anfield following Salah’s exit, including a starting position he wouldn’t be guaranteed at PSG because of the quality options they have in that area of the pitch in Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, among others.

The 19-year-old enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season with Leipzig, scoring 13 goals and providing a further 10 assists in 36 appearances in all competitions for the German club.

While the majority of his outings this term came from the right-hand side, where Salah lined up for Liverpool, he also made 10 appearances from the left too, to show his versatility.

Should he arrive at Anfield this summer, he would be competing with the likes of Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak and Rio Ngumoha for a spot in Iraola’s XI.