The 23-year-old former Manchester United academy prospect expressed surprise at learning of the historic distinction. Iqbal told BBC Sport: "My dad is Pakistani. He's my father, the man I respect the most in my life, who helped me so much in my career. I play for Iraq, grew up in England, but my dad was born in Pakistan."
Born to a Pakistani father and Iraqi mother, Iqbal wears both nations' flags on his boots—the Iraqi flag on his left side and the Pakistani flag on his right—symbolizing equal respect for both heritages. He stated: "I respect both sides. When people ask me what I feel more connected to, I can't answer. For me, they're both equal."
Pakistan, a nation of over 240 million people, has never reached a World Cup and has won just one qualifying match in its entire history. Iqbal's presence at the tournament represents a landmark moment for Pakistani football diaspora, even though he represents Iraq on the pitch.
The midfielder's World Cup appearance carries symbolic weight beyond his on-field performances, inspiring Pakistani communities globally and marking the first representation of that heritage on football's biggest stage.