Zidane Iqbal gives Pakistani football a World Cup first
The Manchester-born Iraq midfielder became the first player of Pakistani heritage to appear at a FIFA World Cup, Al Jazeera reported.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Zidane Iqbal’s appearance for Iraq against Norway gave Pakistani football a first link to the FIFA World Cup, Al Jazeera reported. Pakistan has never reached the tournament, but Iqbal became the first player of Pakistani heritage to play on its stage.
Iqbal entered in the 59th minute on Tuesday at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, according to Al Jazeera. Iraq lost 4-1 in its first World Cup match in 40 years, with Manchester City forward Erling Haaland scoring twice on his World Cup debut for Norway.
For Pakistan, Al Jazeera reported, the substitution carried significance beyond the score. The country’s national team is ranked 198th by FIFA and has spent decades outside the World Cup.
A player eligible for three countries
Al Jazeera reported that Zidane Ammar Iqbal was born in Manchester on April 27, 2003, to Aamar, a father from Sahiwal in Pakistan’s Punjab province, and Ayat, a mother born in southern Iraq. His background made him eligible to represent England, Pakistan or Iraq.
Iraq’s pursuit began after a large Instagram account focused on Iraqis abroad contacted him about his family roots, according to Al Jazeera. The matter later reached the Iraq Football Association, which spoke with Iqbal and his parents over video calls.
Iqbal told The Athletic that Iraq’s effort to bring him into the national setup helped shape his decision. “All the love and support from the fans in Iraq and across the world and how hard the FA tried to bring me. When someone shows so much love, it’s only right that you feel it,” he said.
Al Jazeera reported that Iqbal had not visited Iraq before receiving an under-23 call-up in 2021. He later kept returning as his connection to the country grew.
Club rise and Iraq breakthrough
Iqbal joined Manchester United’s academy when he was eight and spent 12 years at the club, according to Al Jazeera. In December 2021, at 18, he became the first British South Asian player in nearly two decades to appear for United in the UEFA Champions League.
Regular senior minutes at United did not follow, and Al Jazeera reported that he moved to FC Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie for about 1 million euros, or $1.1 million. He stayed prominent for Iraq during a 21-match World Cup qualifying campaign and scored a winning goal against Indonesia.
The Pakistan Football Federation had tracked Iqbal’s progress, Al Jazeera reported, but Pakistan’s football setup faced obstacles in competing for his international future.
Ali Ahsan, editor of FootballPakistan.com, told Al Jazeera that Pakistan’s low ranking and lack of professional infrastructure made the task difficult. “We are struggling to attract players from bigger clubs, our ranking, the lack of a professional set-up. The PFF still has no technical director or dedicated national team recruitment staff,” Ahsan said.
Ahsan told Al Jazeera that Iqbal’s choice gave him access to major tournaments that Pakistan was unlikely to offer. He said Iqbal could have lifted Pakistani football’s international profile had he chosen Pakistan, especially because he was still at Manchester United at the time.
Iqbal told The Athletic he hoped his path would encourage young players from Asian and Arab backgrounds. “It’s definitely possible. And if I’ve done it, why can’t they?” he said.
Al Jazeera reported that Iraq next play France on Monday, then Senegal in their final group match on June 26.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.