Zidane Iqbal became the first player of Pakistani heritage to feature at a men’s FIFA World Cup, coming off the bench for Iraq against Norway on 16 June 2026. He went on to make three appearances before Iraq were eliminated at the group stage.
The 23-year-old midfielder qualifies for Iraq through his Iraqi mother and is widely reported as the only player of Pakistani descent at this tournament. Here’s who he is, how he made history, and how his tournament finished.
Who is Zidane Iqbal?
Zidane Iqbal is a 23-year-old midfielder who came through Manchester United’s academy and now plays for FC Utrecht in the Netherlands. Born on 27 April 2003, he turned 23 earlier this year.
He was born and raised in Manchester to a Pakistani father, from Sahiwal in Punjab, and an Iraqi mother. He says he carries both identities with equal pride.
According to interviews he has given the press, he wears a flag on each boot to represent both sides.
- Iraqi flag: on his left boot, for his mother’s side.
- Pakistani flag: on his right boot, for his father’s side.
Iqbal made history at United as the first British South Asian player in almost 20 years to feature in the UEFA Champions League, as Sky Sports reported.
He chose to represent Iraq at international level, helping the side reach only its second ever World Cup and its first in 40 years. By his own account, he only recently learned the full extent of his Pakistani heritage, and hopes his story inspires other Asian and Arab kids.
How he made World Cup history against Norway
Iqbal became the first player of Pakistani heritage to play at a men’s World Cup when he featured in Iraq’s opening Group I match against Norway on 16 June. That moment alone made the tournament a landmark one for South Asian football fans.
He came on as a 59th-minute substitute in the game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, near Boston, and played the final 31 minutes.
Iraq lost the match 4-1, with Erling Haaland scoring a brace for Norway. Aymen Hussein netted Iraq’s lone goal, according to the FIFA match centre.
What happened against France and Senegal
Iqbal started Iraq’s second group match against France on 22 June at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, playing the full 90 minutes. Iraq were beaten 3-0, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice and Ousmane Dembélé adding a third.
That defeat left Iraq bottom of Group I with zero points after two games, already eliminated from World Cup qualification for the Round of 32. Their final group match, however, was anything but meaningless for their opponents.
Iraq faced Senegal on 26 June at BMO Field in Toronto, with Senegal needing a big win to keep their own knockout hopes alive. Iraq lost 5-0 and finished the tournament with the worst goal difference of any team, at −11.
| Match | Result | Iqbal’s involvement |
|---|---|---|
| Iraq 1-4 Norway | Loss | On as 59th-minute sub, played 31 minutes |
| France 3-0 Iraq | Loss | Started, played full 90 minutes |
| Senegal 5-0 Iraq | Loss | Started, subbed off in the 67th minute |
Iraq also played over an hour of the Senegal game with 10 men after a first-half red card, per Al Jazeera’s match report. Senegal’s win was enough to send them through as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Iqbal’s tournament in numbers
Iqbal made three appearances for Iraq at his first World Cup, without a goal or assist. He is the first player of Pakistani heritage to appear at a men’s World Cup, and remains widely reported as the only one in the 2026 tournament.
- Appearances: 3 of 3 group matches (1 as a substitute, 2 as a starter).
- Minutes played: 31 vs Norway, 90 vs France, 67 vs Senegal.
- Goals/assists: None, but a historic milestone regardless.
His story drew wide coverage from outlets including Al Jazeera, the BBC, The Athletic and Pakistani broadcasters Geo TV and ARY News. For fans who want to relive any of Iraq’s matches or plan future World Cup travel, our guide to Iraq at the 2026 World Cup has the full schedule.
Following the rest of the World Cup
Iraq’s tournament is over, but the knockout stage continues across the US, Canada and Mexico through to mid-July. Toronto’s BMO Field, where Iqbal’s World Cup ended, continues to host knockout matches.
Check flights to Toronto and compare hotels in Toronto if you want to catch a live match there.
From the Gulf, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad all connect to Toronto with one stop. You can also track live status on the Wego flight tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Zidane Iqbal play for Iraq and not Pakistan?
He qualifies for Iraq through his Iraqi mother. Pakistan, his father’s country, has never qualified for a World Cup, so Iraq gave him the chance to play on the biggest stage.
Is he really the only Pakistani player at the 2026 World Cup?
He is the first player of Pakistani heritage to feature at a men’s World Cup and is widely reported as the only one at this tournament. Other South Asian-origin players, such as New Zealand’s Sarpreet Singh, are of Indian descent.
What club does Zidane Iqbal play for?
He plays for FC Utrecht in the Netherlands. He came through Manchester United’s academy before moving abroad for regular first-team football.
How did Iraq’s World Cup end?
Iraq finished bottom of Group I with zero points, losing all three matches. They lost 4-1 to Norway, 3-0 to France, and 5-0 to Senegal, and were eliminated after the group stage.
Sources
- Al Jazeera — Zidane Iqbal: the footballer who gave Pakistan its first World Cup moment
- Al Jazeera — Mbappé leads France to win over Iraq in lightning-delayed World Cup game
- Al Jazeera — Senegal score 5-0 win over 10-man Iraq, keep World Cup knockout hopes alive
- Arab News — Iraq’s Zidane Iqbal becomes first player of Pakistani heritage to play in FIFA World Cup
- FIFA — Iraq 1-4 Norway, match centre, World Cup 2026
- ESPN — Senegal 5-0 Iraq final score and report (26 June 2026)
- ESPN — 2026 World Cup: which teams have been eliminated
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I — fixtures, results and venues
- The National — Zidane Iqbal on Iraq’s historic World Cup return
- Sky Sports — Zidane Iqbal becomes first British South Asian in Manchester United’s history
- Wego — Iraq at the 2026 World Cup: full schedule and kick-off times
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