Zidane Iqbal: The Player Who Brought Pakistan Its First World Cup Moment

Islamabad, Pakistan – The final score was 4-1 in favor of Norway. Iraq suffered a heavy defeat in their first World Cup match in 40 years. Manchester City striker Erling Haaland scored a brace on his tournament debut, steering Norway to an easy win in Group I.

But for Pakistan, the result barely mattered.

When Zidane Iqbal crossed the sideline for Iraq at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in the 59th minute on Tuesday, history was made. He became the first player of Pakistani descent to appear at a FIFA World Cup.

Pakistan’s national team has never qualified for the tournament. It sits 198th in the FIFA rankings. For decades, more than 250 million Pakistanis have watched the world’s biggest football event from the outside.

That changed, in its own complex way, through a 23-year-old born in Manchester, England.

Between Three Nations

Zidane Ammar Iqbal was born on April 27, 2003, to a Pakistani father and an Iraqi mother. His father, Aamar, hails from Sahiwal in Punjab province, while his mother, Ayat, was born in southern Iraq.

Growing up in Manchester, Iqbal was eligible to play for England, Pakistan, or Iraq. His final decision was not a calculated one.

Iraq found him the way many things happen today: through social media.

A large Instagram page dedicated to tracking Iraqis worldwide contacted him to ask whether rumors about his background were true.

The information eventually reached the Iraq Football Association, which pursued him through a series of video calls with Iqbal and his parents.

When asked by The Athletic why he chose Iraq, Iqbal said: “All the love and support from the fans in Iraq and around the world, and the way the Association tried to bring me in. When someone gives you that much affection, you can only reciprocate.”

He had never been to Iraq before being called up to the U-23 team in 2021. The cultural shock, he admitted, was real. But he kept going back. Gradually, a country that had only been part of his heritage began to feel like home.

The Path Not Taken

Iqbal joined Manchester United’s academy at age eight and spent 12 years at the club. In December 2021, at 18, he became the first South Asian-origin player in nearly two decades to appear for Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League.

However, a regular first-team opportunity never materialized. He eventually moved to FC Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie for around €1 million ($1.1m).

His performances throughout Iraq’s grueling 21-match qualifying campaign, including a decisive goal against Indonesia, kept him central to the team’s plans.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) had monitored his progress. But it was never really a contest.

Ali Ahsan, editor of FootballPakistan.com, said the structural gap between the two football nations was too wide.

“We struggle to attract players from larger clubs. Our ranking, the lack of a professional system still lacking a technical director or dedicated national team scouting staff,” Ahsan told Al Jazeera.

“For Zidane, he chose Iraq to be able to play in major tournaments, which he probably wouldn’t have with Pakistan,” Ahsan added.

“If he had chosen Pakistan, he could have had a big impact on raising the profile of Pakistani football internationally. At that time, he was still at Manchester United. He could have started a serious conversation about how football needs to improve, inspiring children to take it more seriously. Iraq already has a history, structure, and solid fan base.”

For Iqbal, the path led elsewhere. But for Pakistan, the moment remains.

“I hope there are kids – whether Asian, Arab, or anyone – who see that and think they can do it,” Iqbal told The Athletic. “It’s definitely possible. And if I’ve done it, why can’t they?”

Iraq will face France on Monday before taking on Senegal in their final group match on June 26. Few expect them to advance. But few thought they would be here at all. Against Norway, Iraq lost. But for Pakistan, history was made.