Zidane Iqbal set to become first Pakistani heritage player at men's 2026 World Cup

A former Manchester United prospect will make history for Pakistan by playing at the 2026 men's World Cup with Iraq.

Historic moment for Pakistan Zidane Iqbal, a former Manchester United trainee, is poised to create a landmark moment for football fans in Pakistan when he steps onto the pitch for Iraq at the 2026 World Cup. The South Asian nation, home to over 240 million people and ranked 198th in FIFA rankings, has never had a player represent them at the men's World Cup in their entire history. Pakistan's national team has won just one qualifying match across all competitions, making this milestone even more significant for a country desperate for top-tier football representation. ## Iqbal's reaction to the milestone Iqbal expressed surprise upon learning he would be the first male player of Pakistani heritage to compete at a World Cup. 'To be honest, I didn't even know it myself,' he recounted. 'I followed the account that posted it [that he was the first player of Pakistani heritage to play at a men's World Cup] and sent it to my dad straight away. I think we were both surprised.' The revelation came as he was focused on qualifying for the tournament with Iraq, not realizing the historic impact for Pakistan. ## Proud connection to both nations Born and raised in Manchester, Iqbal's heritage spans both Pakistan and Iraq through his father and mother respectively. The 23-year-old midfielder wears both countries' flags on his boots as a symbol of respect for both sides of his family. 'I wear the Iraqi flag on my left side and the Pakistani flag on my right side,' he explained. 'I think that's because I respect both sides. When people ask me what I feel more connected to, I can't answer. For me, they're both equal. It's about respect and something I carry with a lot of pride.' ## Earlier milestone in Champions League This isn't the first time Iqbal has made history related to his background. He became the first British South Asian player in nearly two decades to feature in the Champions League during his time with Manchester United's academy. Now, as he prepares to represent Iraq at the World Cup, he hopes his journey will serve as inspiration for young footballers from diverse backgrounds. ## Message to the next generation Iqbal emphasized the challenges of pursuing professional football while encouraging aspiring players from any background. 'I think if you ask any professional, it's not easy at all and everyone has their ups and downs. A lot of commitment and hard work is needed. So hopefully when kids see people trying to be a professional footballer, or me, they see those of South Asian heritage or even of any heritage, that you can make it from any background, any area, wherever you're from, any religion.' He hopes young players will see his path as proof that dreams are achievable regardless of origin. ## Pakistani fans rally behind Iqbal Ahmed Shahzad, who manages the social media platform Pakistani Talents that highlights football talent of Pakistani heritage worldwide, discussed the impact Iqbal's participation will have on the nation's football community. 'Every Pakistani football fan knows about Zidane Iqbal,' Shahzad noted. 'Historically, there's been very little Pakistani representation at the top level of football, especially on the global stage like the World Cup.' He added that seeing Iqbal embrace his identity at the highest level makes football feel more attainable for young Pakistani players and diaspora communities. ## Iraq's path to the 2026 tournament Iraq completed the most grueling qualifying campaign of any nation to secure their spot at the 2026 World Cup, playing 21 matches across multiple rounds and playoffs. Their only prior appearance came 40 years ago at Mexico 1986, where they finished last in their group with just one goal scored. The team's journey reflects the challenges faced by the country over decades, including wars and sanctions, making this qualification particularly meaningful for the nation. ## Iqbal's expectations for Iraq's campaign Iqbal believes Iraq's underdog status could lead to a historic run at the tournament. 'I think we've got a free shot,' he stated. 'We go there, it's our first World Cup in 40 years. Funnily enough, that 1986 World Cup was in Mexico, and now this World Cup is in Mexico. I think that's beautiful as well. But for us, I think we're going there with no pressure. We're the underdogs. I think if we lose, people expect us to lose. If we win, we shock the world.' ## Group stage opponents for Iraq If Iraq advances from the group stage, they could face formidable challenges against France, the tournament's two-time champions, Norway featuring stars like Martin Odegaard and Erling Haaland, and Senegal, finalists in the Africa Cup of Nations. Iqbal views the competition as an opportunity to defy expectations and believes hard work and excitement can lead to unexpected outcomes in football.