Zidane Iqbal

Zidane Iqbal is the most high-profile young player in the Iraqi squad, having trained and made his debut at Manchester United before joining FC Utrecht in 2023. Born in Manchester to Iraqi-Pakistani heritage, his choice to represent Iraq was a significant moment for the national programme. At Utrecht he has become a regular starter, developing into a composed, technically assured central midfielder in the Eredivisie — one of Europe's more demanding leagues for midfield play. Still only 23, he is already Iraq's most recognisable footballing export and the player around whom the national team's midfield ambitions for the 2026 cycle are most clearly built.