Zidane Iqbal

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
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 41 (1)
International career‡
Iraq U23
2022– Iraq 28 (2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22:03, 9 August 2026 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 22:03, 26 June 2026 (UTC)

Zidane Aamar Iqbal (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, 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 9 August 2026[29]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United U21 2021–22 ————3[b]131
2022–23 ————3[b]030
Total 000000006161
Manchester United 2021–22 Premier League 0000001[c]0—10
2022–23 Premier League 00000000—00
Total 000000100010
Jong Utrecht 2023–24 Eerste Divisie 10————10
2025–26 Eerste Divisie 110————110
Total 12000000000120
Utrecht 2023–24 Eredivisie 17010——1[d] 0190
2024–25 Eredivisie 18130———211
2025–26 Eredivisie 5000—2[e]0—70
2026–27 Eredivisie 1000———10
Total 41140002010481
Career total 53140003071672
  1. ↑ Includes KNVB Cup
  2. 1 2 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 26 June 2026[30]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Iraq 202220
202320
2024131
202551
202660
Total282

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

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. 1 2 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 9 August 2026.
  30. ↑ "Zidane Iqbal Internationals". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 26 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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