Kumel Al-Rekabe

Kumel Al-Rekabe

Personal information
Full name	Kumel Saadi Latif Al-Rekabe
Date of birth	(2004-08-19) 19 August 2004
Place of birth	Aarau, Switzerland
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	C.D. Léganes
Number	13
Youth career
–2021	Adliswil Youth
2021-2022	FC Zurich
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2019–2020	FC Adliswil	1	(0)
2022–2023	Red Star Zurich	3	(0)
2024-2024	Naft Al Basra	3	(0)
International career‡
2023–	Iraq U23	9	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing Iraq AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024 Qatar Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of July 4, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of July 4, 2024

Kumel Saadi Latif Al-Rekabe (Arabic: كميل سعدي لطيف الركابي; born 19 August 2004) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for CD Leganés. Born in Switzerland, he represents Iraq at international level.

Club career

Early career in Switzerland

Born in Switzerland, to Iraqi parents Al-Rekabe joined the youth ranks of FC Adliswil. He made his senior debut on October 10, 2020, in a heavy 7-0 defeat against Lachen/Altendorf. On July 1, 2021, he joined FC Zurich, where he was assigned to the u17 team. After spending a season in the youth side, he moved to fifth division side Red Star Zurich for the 2022-2023 season. He made his debut on October 9, 2022, in a 2-1 win over FC Unterstrass. He made a further two appearances that season as his team finished 4th in the table.

Naft Al Basra

In early 2024, Al-Rekabe joined Iraqi team Naft Al Basra. He made his debut against Al Mina'a during a 2-1 loss in the Basra Derby. He made two more appearances that season as Naft Al Basra narrowly avoided relegation. He left the club at the end of the season.

CD Leganés

In August of 2024, joined Leganés' reserve team through an intermediary company after his contract with Naft Al-Basra club came to an end. The keeper underwent a trial before impressing club scouts and signed a contract, assigned to the C team.

International career

Iraq U23

Born in Switzerland, Al-Rekabe is eligible to represent both Switzerland and Iraq.

Al-Rekabe was called up to the 2023 WAFF U-23 Championship, where he won best goalkeeper on route to Iraq winning the title. Despite these accolades, he was the subject of criticism for his performance and blunders.

Al-Rekabe was called up to the 2024 Asian Cup U23 qualifiers, held in Kuwait, in which Iraq topped the group and qualified, he kept a clean sheet against Macau, and featured in the 2-2 draw against Kuwait. He was also called up to the final tournament, but did not feature in any match as Iraq finished 3rd overall and qualified to the 2024 Olympic Games.

In June 2024, he was named in the final squad for the Olympic Games, but did not make an appearance as Iraq crashed out from the group stage.

Senior team

In June 2024, Al-Rekabe was a surprise inclusion in Iraq's World Cup qualification squad to face Indonesia and Vietnam. He was an unused substitute as Iraq went on to win both games and finish top of their group.

Al-Rekabe was included in the preliminary squad for the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup..

Honours

Iraq U-23

• WAFF U-23 Championship: 2023

Individual

• WAFF U-23 Championship Best goalkeeper: 2023