Algeria Targets Ethan Mbappé: A Family Tie Up for World Cup 2026 Remake
13 November 2025
Algeria’s Bid for Ethan Mbappé
Algeria is pursuing Ethan Mbappé, the 19-year-old Lille midfielder and younger brother of Kylian Mbappé, in a bid to strengthen its squad for the 2026 World Cup to be staged in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Spanish outlet AS reported that the Algerian Football Federation reached out to Faïza Al Amari, Ethan’s mother, to inquire about his status and openness to representing Algeria.
In recent months, several African nations with players holding dual nationalities have looked to attract talents born outside the continent, arguing that eligibility can be leveraged to bolster competitive rosters.
AS noted that during the October international window, Luka Zidane—son of Zinedine Zidane and a World Cup winner with France in 1998—acquired a dual nationality and made his Algeria debut, illustrating how the pathway is being explored by various corridors of national sport.
A linked match recirculation block in the article referenced a friendly within the broader “friendly matches” context, showing Algeria’s interest in testing new configurations ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
The report emphasized that Ethan Mbappé, who has multi-national eligibility through his French mother and Cameroonian father Wilfried Mbappé, is seen as a potential piece to fit into the Desert Foxes’ puzzle as they pursue a strong World Cup showing.
Algeria’s possible call-up could reignite debates about federation policy. Some critics argue that prioritizing dual-nationals who have not previously worn Algerian colors may come at the expense of nurturing and integrating homegrown talent.
AS also highlighted that Algeria remains among Africa’s strongest talent pools and as a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations champion, the team is keen to assemble the strongest possible squad for 2026.
Another name mentioned in passing is Maxime López (Paris FC), noted as a potential candidate who has previously featured for Olympique de Marseille at youth or senior levels, illustrating the broader recruitment landscape the article navigates.
Mbappé and his brother left PSG in 2024; Kylian subsequently joined Real Madrid on a free transfer, while Ethan stayed with Lille. The piece situates these moves within a broader narrative of a footballing family and ongoing club-to-country career decisions.
France, the two-time World Cup champions, currently lead Group D in their qualifiers, with a crucial match against Ukraine on the horizon, followed by an away fixture in Azerbaijan. Mbappé’s remarks about his presence in the stands for his brother’s goal underlined the emotional dimension of such family-linked football moments.
In late October, Mbappé commented that attending his brother’s goal was meaningful precisely because he wasn’t under pressure to perform, and that Ethan’s ongoing development in a top European league could be a catalyst for Algeria—though any actual call-up would hinge on formal approvals and eligibility checks.
The article closes by reiterating that while Ethan remains a candidate among a broader list of players, any final decision would depend on international eligibility, national-team strategy, and the evolving football landscape ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Conclusion aside, the Mbappé family saga adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about dual-national players and the global movement of talent in football, as nations weigh tradition, opportunity, and ambition in pursuit of sporting glory.
Punchline 1: If dual nationality is the new secret weapon, then Algeria just installed a two-for-one deal at the World Cup buffet. Punchline 2: And if it doesn’t work out, at least Ethan will have a handy passport to borrow when his club asks for paperwork-aided insurance."
