The ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup is historic in many ways, including featuring several players whose fathers were also great international footballers. Here are some of them.
Think World Cup 2026 is only about Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland? Look closer. Several players at this tournament are following in the footsteps of fathers who were once international football stars. Some are carrying famous surnames, while others are determined to build legacies of their own.
Luca Zidane – Algeria
Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane is the son of former France captain Zinedine Zidane, the legendary playmaker who led Les Bleus to the 1998 FIFA World Cup title.
Twenty years ago, the elder Zidane walked off the World Cup stage after his infamous red card in the 2006 final against Italy. Now, his son has brought the Zidane name back to football’s biggest tournament, this time wearing Algeria’s colours — the country of his grandparents.
The younger Zidane even found himself facing Lionel Messi and Argentina, a challenge his father knew all too well during his playing days.
Marcus Thuram – France
Marcus Thuram is the son of Lilian Thuram, one of France’s greatest defenders and a teammate of Zinedine Zidane in the World Cup-winning squad of 1998.
While his father built his reputation at the back, Marcus is doing the damage up front. The Inter Milan striker has become a key figure in France’s attack, continuing the Thuram legacy in the famous blue shirt.
Mostafa Shobeir – Egypt
Standing between the posts for Egypt is Mostafa Shobeir, the son of former Pharaohs goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir, who represented Egypt at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
More than three decades later, another Shobeir is living the World Cup dream. The younger goalkeeper announced himself on the global stage with a heroic display against Belgium, keeping the European side’s attackers at bay and helping Egypt secure a valuable result.
Timothy Weah – United States
Timothy Weah may not be representing his father’s homeland of Liberia, but he is carrying one of Africa’s most famous football names.
The son of George Weah, the only African Ballon d’Or winner and former President of Liberia, Timothy has become a key player for the United States.
While his father never had the opportunity to play at a World Cup, the son is living that dream and continuing the Weah legacy on the world’s biggest stage.
Justin Kluivert – Netherlands
Justin Kluivert is following in the footsteps of his father Patrick Kluivert, one of the Netherlands’ greatest-ever strikers and a star of the Dutch team that reached the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup.
Now representing the Oranje at football’s biggest tournament, Justin is writing his own chapter in one of Dutch football’s most famous family stories.
Giuliano Simeone – Argentina
Argentina’s Giuliano Simeone is the son of Diego Simeone, the combative midfielder who represented Argentina at three World Cups before becoming one of football’s most recognisable coaches.
The younger Simeone has inherited his father’s intensity and determination and is now creating his own legacy in the famous sky-blue and white shirt.
Nico Paz – Argentina
Another Argentine carrying a famous football surname is Nico Paz. His father, Pablo Paz, was part of Argentina’s squad at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Nearly three decades later, Nico has followed the family path and made his own World Cup debut for the reigning champions.
Francisco Conceição – Portugal
Portugal’s Francisco Conceição is the son of former international winger Sérgio Conceição, who represented Portugal at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Quick, skilful and fearless, Francisco is now part of Portugal’s next generation as he seeks to establish himself on the global stage.
Kristian Thorstvedt – Norway
Norwegian midfielder Kristian Thorstvedt is following in the footsteps of his father Erik Thorstvedt, who was Norway’s goalkeeper at the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
More than 30 years later, another Thorstvedt is competing at football’s biggest tournament.
Giovanni Reyna – United States
Giovanni Reyna comes from one of America’s most accomplished football families.
His father, Claudio Reyna, captained the United States and played in three World Cups.
Giovanni is now carrying the family name into a new era, becoming one of the key faces of American football on home soil.
Erling Haaland – Norway
One of the biggest stars at World Cup 2026, Erling Haaland is following in the footsteps of his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, a former Norway international who represented his country at the 1994 World Cup. Like his father, Erling also made his mark at Manchester City.
While Alf-Inge spent three seasons with the Premier League champions between 2000 and 2003, his son has become one of the club’s greatest goalscorers, helping City win multiple domestic and European titles.
Now leading Norway’s attack on football’s biggest stage, Erling is not only carrying the Haaland name into a new generation but is also building a legacy that could surpass his father’s achievements in the game.
From Zidane to Shobeir, Thuram to Kluivert, football’s famous sons are proving that while talent may run in the family, every generation must earn its own place in World Cup history.
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