Zidane Iqbal


Zidane Ammar Iqbal is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Eredivisie club Utrecht. Born in England, he plays for the Iraq national team.
Iqbal joined Manchester United's youth system aged nine. He made his first-team debut in a UEFA Champions League match in December 2021. Iqbal represented Iraq at under-23 level before making his senior international debut in January 2022.
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Early life

Born in Manchester to a Pakistani father and an Iraqi mother, Iqbal played for local side Sale United from the age of four before joining Manchester United at the age of nine.

Club career

Manchester United

Iqbal signed his first professional contract with Manchester United in April 2021. He made his first-team debut for Manchester United on 8 December 2021 as an 89th-minute substitute in a UEFA Champions League match against Young Boys. Thus, he became the first British-born South Asian as well the first Iraqi to play for the club, and the first ever British South Asian to play in the Champions League.

Utrecht

On 23 June 2023, Iqbal announced that he would be leaving Manchester United to join a new club, subject to registration and international clearance. His move to Utrecht was announced and finalised on 26 June, on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

International career

Iqbal was eligible to represent England, Iraq, and Pakistan at international level.
In May 2021, he received an Iraqi passport, and has represented Iraq at youth international level. In June 2021, he was called up to the Iraq under-20 team for the 2021 Arab Cup U-20. However, he was refused to travel by Manchester United, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In September 2021, Iqbal received his first call up to the Iraq U23 for a training camp in UAE. He made his debut on 4 September against the UAE U23, making the starting line-up. In October 2021, Iqbal was named as part of the 23-man Iraq U23 squad for the 2021 WAFF U-23 Championship in Saudi Arabia. On 8 October, Iqbal scored his first goal for the Iraq U23 team as the captain of his side.

Senior

In January 2022, Iqbal was called up to the Iraq national team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Iran and Lebanon. He made his debut in a 1–0 loss to Iran on 27 January 2022.
On 26 March 2024, Iqbal scored his first international goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Philippines in a 5–0 away win.

Style of play

Iqbal is a tricky and versatile midfielder who mostly plays in the centre.

Personal life

As one of a large number of British Asians in association football, Iqbal was part of an FA content series to support South Asian Heritage Month in 2021.
Iqbal is Muslim, and cites Mesut Özil as an inspiration for him. Iqbal has stated in interviews that he is fluent in English and can speak some Punjabi and Arabic.

Career statistics

International

Scores and results list Iraq's goal tally first.
No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
126 March 2024Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines104–05–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification
211 October 2025King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia191–01–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Individual