Zidane Aamar Iqbal (; born 27 April 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Premiership club Dundee United. 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, and moved to Dundee United in 2026.
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. His father originate from Sahiwal, in the Punjab province of Pakistan, while his mother originated from Samawah in southern Iraq.
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, 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.
Dundee United After three years in the Netherlands, he moved to Scotland, signing for Dundee United on a two year deal with the club having the option of extending for another year.
International career Iqbal was eligible to represent England, Iraq, and Pakistan at international level.
Youth 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, Manchester United refused to let him travel, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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. On 8 October, Iqbal scored his first goal for the under-23 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.
Iqbal was included in Iraq's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Style of play Iqbal is a versatile midfielder who mostly plays in the centre.
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.
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 Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotal DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsManchester United U212021–22————31312022–23————3030Total000000006161Manchester United2021–22Premier League00000010—102022–23Premier League00000000—00Total000000100010Jong Utrecht2023–24Eerste Divisie10————102025–26Eerste Divisie110————110Total12000000000120Utrecht2023–24Eredivisie17010——101902024–25Eredivisie18130———2112025–26Eredivisie5000—20—702026–27Eredivisie2000———20Total42140002010491Dundee United2026–27Scottish Premiership200000——20Career total56140003071702
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsIraq2022202023202024131202551202681Total303
Scores and results list Iraq's goal tally first.
+ International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competitionNo.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition126 March 2024Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines104–05–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification211 October 2025King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia191–01–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification326 September 2026Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia303–227th Arabian Gulf Cup
Honours Individual Eredivisie Team of the Month: December 2024, March 2025
References
External links
Profile at the FC Utrecht website