Zidane Iqbal Makes World Cup History for Pakistan and Iraq

When Zidane Iqbal stepped onto the pitch for Iraq at FIFA World Cup 2026, he made history far beyond one match.

The 23-year-old midfielder became the first player of Pakistani heritage to feature in a men's FIFA World Cup, a landmark moment for Pakistani football fans and diaspora communities around the world.

Born and raised in Manchester to a Pakistani father and an Iraqi mother, Iqbal carries both sides of his heritage with pride. He has spoken openly about feeling equally connected to both identities, and wears the Iraqi flag on one boot and the Pakistani flag on the other.

For Iraq, his presence at the tournament is part of a wider story of return. The national team is playing at the World Cup for the first time in 40 years, after last appearing in Mexico in 1986. Their qualification followed a long and demanding campaign, underlining the resilience of a team many see as underdogs in a difficult group alongside France, Norway and Senegal.

For Pakistan, the moment carries a different kind of significance. Pakistan's men's national team has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup, and the country remains far from football's global elite. But Iqbal's appearance means that millions of Pakistanis, including young players at home and across the diaspora, can see part of themselves represented on football's biggest stage.

That visibility matters. For communities historically underrepresented in elite football, moments like this can shift what feels possible. Iqbal's journey from Manchester United's academy to the World Cup is not just a personal achievement. It is a reminder that football identity is rarely simple, and that players often carry more than one country, culture and community with them.

Iqbal has been clear that choosing to represent Iraq does not take away from his Pakistani or Mancunian identity. Instead, his story reflects the layered reality of modern football, where migration, family history and belonging often overlap.

As Iraq continue their World Cup campaign, Iqbal will be watched not only by Iraqi supporters, but by many Pakistani fans who now have a personal reason to follow the team.