Zidane Iqbal Creates History, Becomes First Pakistan-Origin Footballer To Play In FIFA World Cup

Published 16 June 2026 · sports

Zidane Iqbal Creates History, Becomes First Pakistan-Origin Footballer To Play In FIFA World Cup Published By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 05:34 IST Zidane Iqbal

Zidane Iqbal Creates History, Becomes First Pakistan-Origin Footballer To Play In FIFA World Cup Published By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 05:34 IST Zidane Iqbal was born in Manchester to a Pakistani father and an Iraqi mother, making him eligible to represent England, Pakistan, and Iraq. Zidane Iqbal becomes first Pakistani origin player to play in FIFA World Cup. (Picture Credit: Screengrab) Iraq are taking on Norway in their first Group I match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday (Wednesday IST). In the fixture taking place at Boston Stadium, Iraqi footballer Zidane Iqbal has made history. Zidane Iqbal, who came on as a substitute for Iraq in the 59th minute, is the first Pakistan-origin footballer to play in a FIFA World Cup match. According to available information, Zidane Iqbal was born in Manchester to a Pakistani father and an Iraqi mother, making him eligible to represent England, Pakistan, and Iraq.

He played for local side Sale United from the age of four before joining Manchester United at the age of nine. Prior to making his FIFA World Cup debut on June 16, Iqbal had played 22 matches for Iraq, scoring two goals. He made his international debut for Iraq on January 27, 2022, against Iran in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Zidane Iqbal scored his first international goal for Iraq against the Philippines in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification match at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on March 26, 2024. His second goal came against Indonesia on October 11, 2025, at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. At the club level, Zidane has made one appearance for Manchester United in Europe. He has also been associated with Utrecht in the Eredivisie, making a total of seven appearances across all competitions in the 2025–26 season.

2 goals for Haaland on WC debut Erling Haaland made a memorable FIFA World Cup debut for Norway on Tuesday. It took him only 29 minutes to score his first goal in the FIFA World Cup, and in the 43rd minute, he capitalised on a mistake by an Iraqi defender to score his second goal of the match. The star striker, who represents Manchester City at club level, will look to add one more goal in the ongoing match to join an elite group of footballers who have scored a hat-trick on their FIFA World Cup debut. The last player to score three goals in a maiden FIFA World Cup appearance was Miroslav Klose of Germany, who achieved the feat in the 2002 tournament. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Harshit Bisht Senior Sub-editor Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist with CNN-News18 since July 1, 2024, and covers cricket with a sharp eye for records, trends, and match analysis.