Zidane Iqbal set to become first Pakistani-origin footballer to play FIFA World Cup

Zidane Iqbal is set to become the first footballer of Pakistani heritage to compete at the FIFA World Cup while representing Iraq on the international stage.

Zidane’s father, Amir, hails from Sahiwal, Pakistan, while his mother is Iraqi. The 23-year-old midfielder currently represents Iraq and has established himself as an important member of the national team.

Iqbal began his football journey at the age of nine in the Manchester United academy. At the age of 18, he became the first British South Asian player to represent Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League, marking a significant milestone in his career.

In 2021, he represented Iraq’s Under-23 side before earning a call-up to the senior national team in 2022.

Although he was also eligible to represent England and Pakistan, reports suggest that administrative and governance issues within Pakistan’s football system prevented early engagement with the player, while Iraq moved quickly to secure his international commitment.

Speaking about his heritage, Zidane Iqbal has stated that although he has never visited Iraq, he has travelled to Pakistan in connection with football activities. He described Pakistan as a beautiful country and expressed pride in his background.

He also noted that his father and friends had spoken to him about the significance of the achievement and how he could become part of footballing history through his participation on the world stage.

Should Iraq qualify and compete in the FIFA World Cup with Iqbal in the squad, his appearance would represent a landmark moment for footballers of Pakistani heritage and a source of pride for many supporters across the region.