Jacob Widell Zetterström was born on 11 July 1998 in Stockholm, Sweden. He came through Lidingö's youth system before joining Djurgårdens IF in January 2019. He won the Allsvenskan title with Djurgårdens in his debut season at the senior side, establishing himself as one of the Allsvenskan's tallest and most reliable goalkeepers at 197cm.
In August 2024 Derby County signed Widell Zetterström, where he became the Championship's first-choice goalkeeper across his debut season: 40 league matches in 2024–25. The 2025–26 season has continued with 32 Championship matches and an FA Cup appearance.
For Sweden, Widell Zetterström has been part of the senior squad's goalkeeping rotation. He played 1 World Cup qualifying match in 2024 and featured in 6 senior friendlies in 2025 — gradual establishment as the second-choice goalkeeper behind the senior incumbents.
A 197cm goalkeeper with elite shot-stopping range, the height to dominate his box, and the calm distribution required of a modern keeper, Widell Zetterström is one of Sweden's most exciting goalkeeping prospects. He is in line for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad as a back-up option behind Sweden's senior No. 1.