Zidane Iqbal
Iqbal with Manchester United in 2021
Personal information
Full name Zidane Aamar Iqbal[1]
Date of birth (2003-04-27) 27 April 2003 (age 23)
Place of birth Manchester, England[2]
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Utrecht
Number 14
Youth career
Sale United
–2021 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 Manchester United 0 (0)
2023–2026 Jong Utrecht 12 (0)
2023– Utrecht 40 (1)
International career‡
Iraq U23
2022– Iraq 26 (2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23:09, 20 April 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 05:09, 17 June 2026 (UTC)

Zidane Aamar Iqbal(Arabic: زيدان عمار إقبال; Urdu: زیدان عمار اقبال; born 27 April 2003) 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, and his only senior appearance for United, in a UEFA Champions League match in December 2021. He signed for Utrecht in 2023.

Iqbal represented Iraq at under-23 level, before making his senior international debut in January 2022. He represented Iraq at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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.[3] His paternal side originate from Sahiwal, in the Punjab province of Pakistan.[4][5][6]

Club career

Manchester United

Iqbal signed his first professional contract with Manchester United in April 2021.[7][8] 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.[9] 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.[10][11]

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.[12] His move to Utrecht was announced and finalised on 26 June, on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[13]

International career

Iqbal was eligible to represent England, Iraq, and Pakistan at international level.[14]

Youth

In May 2021, he received an Iraqi passport, and has represented Iraq at youth international level.[15][16] In June 2021, he was called up to the Iraq under-20 team for the 2021 Arab Cup U-20. However, Manchester United refused to let him travel, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]

In September 2021, Iqbal received his first call up to the Iraq under-23 team for a training camp in the United Arab Emirates. He made his debut on 4 September, against the UAE under-23 team, making the starting line-up. In October 2021, Iqbal was named as part of the 23-man Iraq under-23 squad for the 2021 WAFF U-23 Championship in Saudi Arabia.[18] On 8 October, Iqbal scored his first goal for the under-23 team as the captain of his side.[19]

Senior

In January 2022, Iqbal was called up to the Iraq national team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Iran and Lebanon.[20] He made his debut in a 1–0 loss to Iran on 27 January 2022.[21]

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.[22]

Iqbal was included in Iraq's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[23]

Style of play

Iqbal is a versatile midfielder who mostly plays in the centre.[24]

Personal life

As one of a small number of British Asians in association football, Iqbal was part of an FA content series to support South Asian Heritage Month in 2021.[25]

Iqbal is Muslim, and cites Mesut Özil as an inspiration for him.[26][27] Iqbal has stated in interviews that he is fluent in English and can speak some Punjabi and Arabic.[28]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 20 April 2026[29]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester United U21 2021–22 — — — — 3[b] 1 3 1
2022–23 — — — — 3[b] 0 3 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 6 1
Manchester United 2021–22 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[c] 0 — 1 0
2022–23 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Jong Utrecht 2023–24 Eerste Divisie 1 0 — — — — 1 0
2025–26 Eerste Divisie 11 0 — — — — 11 0
Total 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
Utrecht 2023–24 Eredivisie 17 0 1 0 — — 1[d] 0 19 0
2024–25 Eredivisie 18 1 3 0 — — — 21 1
2025–26 Eredivisie 5 0 0 0 — 2[e] 0 — 7 0
Total 40 1 4 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 47 1
Career total 52 1 4 0 0 0 3 0 7 1 66 2
  1. ^ Includes KNVB Cup
  2. ^ a b Appearances in EFL Trophy
  3. ^ Appearance in UEFA Champions League
  4. ^ Appearance in Eredivisie European play-offs
  5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played 16 June 2026[30]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Iraq 2022 2 0
2023 2 0
2024 13 1
2025 5 1
2026 4 0
Total 26 2

Scores and results list Iraq's goal tally first.

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 26 March 2024 Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 10  Philippines 4–0 5–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 11 October 2025 King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 19  Indonesia 1–0 1–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Individual

  • Eredivisie Team of the Month: December 2024,[31] March 2025[32]

References

  1. ^ "Premier League clubs publish 2020/21 retained lists". premierleague.com. 4 June 2021. Archived from the original on 6 April 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b Zidane Iqbal at WorldFootball.net
  3. ^ "Who is Zidane Iqbal? Manchester United teenager profiled after Champions League call-up". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. 8 December 2021. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  4. ^ Hussain, Abid. "Zidane Iqbal: The footballer who gave Pakistan its first World Cup moment". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  5. ^ Critchley, Mark (8 June 2026). "Zidane Iqbal interview: Inspiring Iraqi kids at World Cup, Manchester United spell, making history". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  6. ^ "Zidane Iqbal becomes first player of Pakistani heritage to play in FIFA World Cup". Arab News PK. 17 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  7. ^ Luckhurst, Samuel (7 April 2021). "Manchester United teenager Zidane Iqbal signs professional contract". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  8. ^ Kumari, Priyanca (9 April 2021). "Sports: Pakistani-Origin Zidane Iqbal Signs Professional Contract with Manchester United". britasia.tv. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  9. ^ Stone, Simon (8 December 2021). "Man Utd 1-1 Young Boys: Youthful United side held in final Champions League group game". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  10. ^ Varley, Ciaran (9 December 2021). "Zidane Iqbal becomes Manchester United's first British South Asian player". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Zidane Iqbal becomes first British South Asian to play in the UEFA Champions League". skysports.com. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  12. ^ Bostock, Adam (23 June 2023). "Iqbal's emotional post as he departs United". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  13. ^ "Iqbal leaves Man Utd to join FC Utrecht". BBC Sport. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  14. ^ "Zidane Iqbal: Manchester United youngster called up by Iraq". BBC Sport. 23 January 2022. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  15. ^ "لاعب مانشستر يونايتد "زيدان إقبال" يتسلم الجواز العراقي" [Manchester United player Zidane Iqbal receives Iraqi passport]. shafaq.com (in Arabic). 20 May 2021. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  16. ^ Feliciano, Daniel (10 July 2021). "Manchester United video suggests Zidane Iqbal may be the next David Beckham in the making". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  17. ^ "مانشستر يونايتد يرفض التحاق زيدان بمنتخب الشباب" [Manchester United refuse Zidane to join the youth team]. ina.iq (in Arabic). 10 June 2021. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  18. ^ "3 لاعباً في قائمة منتخبنا الأولمبي لبطولة غرب آسيا" [Iraqi Olympic team squad]. Iraq FA (in Arabic). 1 October 2021. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  19. ^ "Zidane Iqbal captains Iraq under-23s and scores". United In Focus. 9 October 2021. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  20. ^ "Zidane Iqbal: Iraq set to hand Manchester United teenager international debut away in Iran". Sky Sports. 20 January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  21. ^ "Zidane Iqbal becomes 32nd international player in Manchester United squad". Manchester Evening News. 27 January 2022. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  22. ^ Web, G. C. (26 March 2024). "Philippines 0-5 Iraq - Philippine Football Federation". Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  23. ^ "Al-Hamadi and Iqbal named in Iraq's World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 1 June 2026. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  24. ^ "Zidane Iqbal Positions". FootballCritic. Archived from the original on 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  25. ^ "A New Content Series will be Released to Support South Asian Heritage Month". thefa.com. 27 July 2021. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  26. ^ Holt, Matthew (3 August 2021). "Iqbal Enjoying the 'Rollercoaster Ride'". manutd.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  27. ^ Wood, Liam (3 August 2021). "Manchester United academy star Zidane Iqbal names his football idol". manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  28. ^ ""They Were All Swinging Their Shoes" 🥴 | Zidane Iqbal | Spotlight Questions 💬". YouTube. 28 March 2023. Archived from the original on 20 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023. Event occurs at 3:41
  29. ^ Zidane Iqbal at Soccerway. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  30. ^ "Zidane Iqbal Internationals". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
  31. ^ "8 clubs provide players for the Eredivisie Team of the Month for December". Eredivisie. 9 January 2025. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  32. ^ "Sparta Rotterdam leads Eredivisie Team of the Month for March". Eredivisie. 4 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
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