Midfielder marks milestone appearance with Iraq, linking Pakistani roots to football’s biggest stage.
Image: BBC
Zidane Iqbal has become the first player of Pakistani heritage to feature in a FIFA World Cup.
Iqbal’s father is from Pakistan, while his mother is Iraqi, giving him a strong cultural link to both countries.
The midfielder’s appearance for Iraq marks a historic moment for Pakistani diaspora representation in global football.
Iqbal has been regarded as one of Iraq’s promising young talents since breaking into the senior national team.
His participation at the World Cup has drawn attention from fans across South Asia, especially in Pakistan.
The milestone is being seen as an important step for visibility of South Asian heritage players on football’s biggest stage.
