Manchester boy Zidane set to make his Iraq debut

He's the future of Manchester United, but he's also the present of Iraq's national team. Manchester United's Academy graduate Zidane Iqbal will likely make his first appearance for the Iraqi national team in a big World Cup qualifier against Iran.

Born and bred in Manchester, within walking distance of Old Trafford, the 18-year-old midfielder Zidane was eligible to represent England, his father's birth country Pakistan and his mother's native Iraq. He didn't wait to see if maybe The Three Lions would come calling, but has instead committed himself to Iraq. Speaking to United's website, he said that he was excited about representing the Lions of Mesopotamia.

"I'm very excited. It's another milestone I will hit, my first-team debut for Iraq. I'm looking forward to it, and it's a big game, so hopefully, we can win. I feel that this is the right decision for me in my career. It'll be such an honour to represent Iraq. My family are proud of me, and I feel that it'll be a forward step in my career, playing in the World Cup qualifiers in big games. It'll be a massive honour."

Iqbal is mostly playing for Manchester United's Under-23s but has already made his debut for the first team – in UEFA Champions League, no less. It may has been only a few minutes late in the game against Young Boys, but it was the start of something special for the boy who's been a part of the club's academy since he was nine.

"The nerves were crazy. Seeing all the fans watching the game, even when I was warming up, shouting your name and all the singing. It was everything I dreamed of and more, really. It was an amazing feeling. I've been dreaming of that day since I was a kid and for it to finally come true was amazing."

By coming on in that game, Zidane became the first British South Asian to represent the club’s first team. Manchester has had a piece of Iraq and Pakistan and now Iraq is getting a piece of Manchester!

WORLD CUP QUALIFICATIONS

Asia & Oceania

Thursday

Round 3 - Group A

13.00: (1.25) Japan (5.80) China (12.0)

17.30: (1.40) Iran (4.40) Iraq (9.00)

18.00: (2.15) UAE (3.05) Syria (3.90)

Round 3 - Group B

12.10: (1.18) Australia (7.25) Vietnam (15.0)

15.00: (7.00) Lebanon (3.60) S.Korea (1.58)

20.15: (1.42) Saudi Arabia (4.30) Oman (8.50)

***odds are subject to change