Zidane Iqbal, the former Manchester United academy player and current FC Utrecht midfielder, is set to become the first footballer of Pakistani heritage to feature in a men’s FIFA World Cup.
The 23-year-old, represented here as Zidane Iqbal, has confirmed his place in Iraq’s squad for the 2026 tournament, marking a notable moment for a nation that has never reached football’s global showpiece.
Iqbal, who progressed through Manchester United’s youth system, earlier made history as the first British South Asian player in nearly two decades to appear in the Champions League.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he stated that the news of World Cup qualification came as a surprise, and he shared it immediately with his father.
He said he had not anticipated such a milestone when he began his international career with Iraq.
Born and raised in Manchester, Iqbal has a Pakistani father and an Iraqi mother, and he continues to identify with both backgrounds.
He has previously described wearing the Iraqi flag on one boot and the Pakistani flag on the other, as a mark of respect for both sides of his heritage.
He stated that both identities hold equal importance to him and that he carries them with pride in his professional career.
In earlier remarks reported by Manchester United’s official website and cited by Geo TV, Iqbal termed himself as a proud Mancunian while also acknowledging his Pakistani and Iraqi heritage.
He added that his decision to represent Iraq does not diminish his connection to either identity.
He stated that the choice was made as a professional step in his career and as an honour, while maintaining pride in his background.
