Cross-generational: The World Cup as a family tradition

If Austria on June 28th at 4 a.m. around Algeria fans of the national team will hardly be able to believe their eyes. That of all things, the name Zidane will be read in the Algerian squad, but it is not due to the supposed lack of sleep. Austria fans can breathe a sigh of relief at this point: this is not the three-time world footballer Zinedine Zidanebut about son Luca. The 28-year-old is contesting his first World Championship this year goalkeeper Algeriens.

But he will probably no longer be able to match his father Zinedine’s success. After individual appearances in various youth selections France and the lack of nomination for the fighting team “Team Tricolore” He ultimately became Algeria’s starting goalkeeper in 2025.

Anyway. Even if he didn’t always look his best in the 3-0 loss against Argentina.

(Not) quite the dad

But Luca Zidane is no exception. He is one of seven current ones World Cup participantswhose father has already been to a World Cup.

One of the most famous father-son World Cup teams is the family Haaland dar. Alf-Inge Haalandnow manager of his son Erling, made a total of two appearances at the World Cup finals USA 1994. There wasn’t enough for more for various reasons.

Divorced in North America at that time Norway equal points with the group opponents Italy, Ireland and Mexico out of. The World Cup 98 Alf-Inge then missed due to injury.

experiences that Man-City Top scorer Erling Haaland don’t necessarily want to repeat. For him it is the first time he has ever taken part in one Major event. And then the World Cup.

Wait in Group I France although the absolute top favorite for the world championship title Senegal but also a more solvable task. There was a 4-1 win against Iraq.

What has been clear in club football for some time now will probably continue in the national team: Erling Haaland’s career is somewhat more successful than that of his father.

Also with the reigning world champion and Austria’s opponent Argentina Both the father and, since this tournament, the son have already had a taste of the World Cup. What we mean is the eccentric one Atletico-Madrid-Trainer Diego Simeone and his son Giuliano Simeone.

The two of them not only know each other from the family table at Christmas, they also work together on the soccer field. Giuliano Simeone has been playing for his dad since 2024 The Colchoneros. The Simeones generally seem to be a football family. Next to the 23-year-old Giuliano are his older brothers Gianluca (27) and Giovanni (30) active in professional football.

The two older ones have not yet been able to take part in the World Cup.

It’s been a while

The fact that both father and son are participants in a world championship is not a phenomenon of today. There are a few examples: Danny Blind (1990, 1994) & Daley Blind (2014, 2022); Peter Schmeichel (1998) & Kasper Schmeichel (2018, 2022); Patrick Kluivert (1998) & Justin Kluivert (2026).

The first ever pair of generational World Cup participants calls for the history books. 20 years after participating in the World Cup Luis Perez for Mexico it was Mario Perezwho followed his father’s lead and went to the World Cup for the Mexicans.

But no list that deals with the participation of fathers and sons in World Cup finals can miss one name: The Maldinis. Already played in 1962 Cesare Maldini a World Cup with the Italian selection. 28 years later his son was born Paolo Maldini it’s turn.

The defender has four World Cup tournaments under his belt and was runner-up in the 1994 finals. But it was never enough to make a big splash.

But who knows: maybe one day there will be a son too Daniel Maldini lacing up his boots for the Italian team at a World Cup and that catch upwhich Grandpa and Dad failed to do. The 24-year-old is at least coming along 6 national team appearances. But he is still waiting for the breakthrough.

Maldini, who is no longer so young, will have his next chance at the earliest 2030. Before that, Italy would have to do that this time Ticket for the World Cup finals buchen.