Zidane Iqbal dey sit for Mexico City Airport, dey wait for flight go back to Manchester, where dem born am and raise am, when one friend send am message. Just 24 hours before, Zidane don pull off wetin be sensational turnaround, carry Iraq go 2026 World Cup finals, defeat Bolivia for play-off, overcome many odds.
When the message from the friend land, he dey watch video of im papa Aamar, dey scream with Iraqi shirt when final whistle blow for Guadalajara. The message break news wey Zidane no know: when he step out for Iraq against Norway, he go become first player of Pakistan heritage to feature for FIFA World Cup.
“I send am to my papa straight away. We both surprise. When I try to qualify for World Cup with Iraq, I no think of anything like this. My papa na Pakistani. He be the man I respect most for my life, wey help me plenty for my career. I play for Iraq, grow up for England, but my papa born for Pakistan. My grandad be first-generation there, so I get plenty respect for that side of my family,” Zidane tell BBC.
While im papa get Pakistan heritage, Zidane mama Ayat na Iraqi, and that how he qualify to play for Lions of Mesopotamia. She born for Samawah before her papa and mama leave go UK because of war. With both Pakistan and Iraq close to im heart, as mark of respect he dey wear both country flag for im boots.
“I wear Iraqi flag for my left side and Pakistani flag for my right side. I think that because I respect both sides. When people ask me wetin I feel more connected to, I no fit answer. For me, dem both equal. Na about respect and something wey I carry with plenty pride,” he talk.
Playing for Iraq na completely accidental and happen via random Instagram message. At one point word don spread about promising talent wey dey come out from Manchester United, with nobody sure about Zidane background and nationality. The first message come from Indonesian fan, wey mistake am say he fit play for south-east Asian country. But once people know about im Iraq connection, everything unfold quickly for Zidane.
“There big Instagram page wey dey follow Iraqis across the world and dem contact me and ask if true say I be Iraqi,” Iqbal tell The Athletic. The news go viral and soon, officials from Iraq Football Association engage for series of video calls with Zidane and im parents, dey ask dia son to commit to play for Iraq. And for first time for 2021, Zidane set foot for Iraqi soil.
“The culture-shock hit me. I really surprise and honestly, the first time, I no enjoy am. Then I go few more times and start to understand the culture small. Baghdad, Basra and Erbil for Kurdistan na beautiful cities. Baghdad really develop plenty over past few years. Dem dey open one of biggest malls for Middle East. When people hear about Iraq, dem no think we get nice stuff too,” he talk.
As visits become frequent, e no take long for Zidane to accept Iraq as im home. “All the love and support from fans for Iraq and across world dey message me and message my parents, and how hard the FA try to bring me… When somebody show so much love, na only right say you feel am, you know? To go to country of my mama and fit see Iraq for myself, see the people and experience atmosphere, food, music, everything. You learn plenty more.”
Born and bring up for Manchester, Zidane once be product of Manchester United youth academy. At age 8, he sign for English giants and spend 12 years for club. At 18, he make im first team debut for UEFA Champions League against Young Boys. “E be one of best days of my life,” he tell Sky Sports. “I no expect to come on. I just think I go warm up, sit down and watch game.” Instead, dem introduce am with few minutes left before final whistle. “The ball take forever to go out as well!”
But beyond im debut, the most memorable moment for Zidane na training sessions with Cristiano Ronaldo. For one practice session, dem tell am to mark the Portuguese great. The instructions clear: just stand still and shadow play. “I get told, ‘Just no do anything stupid. No elbows, no nothing’. So he stand and see Ronaldo net goal unchallenged. “Just to see am for real life compare to FIFA (video game), because sometimes FIFA face scan fit be off, you know?”
At Manchester United, with first team opportunities no opening up, Zidane move to Dutch club Utrecht, where he be integral part of squad. The goal na to get back to Premier League, but before that there be World Cup wey Iraq don wait for 40 years.
Iraq take on Norway for dia first Group I match of FIFA World Cup 2026 on Tuesday (Wednesday IST). For fixture wey dey happen at Boston Stadium, Iraqi footballer Zidane Iqbal don make history. Zidane Iqbal, wey come on as substitute for Iraq for 59th minute of match, be first Pakistani-origin footballer to play for FIFA World Cup match. According to available information, Zidane Iqbal born for Manchester to Pakistani father and Iraqi mother, make am eligible to represent England, Pakistan, and Iraq. He play for local side Sale United from age four before join Manchester United at age nine. Before make im FIFA World Cup debut on June 16, Iqbal don play 22 times for Iraq and score two goals.
