Zidane Iqbal, midfielder for Dutch club FC Utrecht and former Manchester United academy graduate, will make history as the first player of Pakistani heritage at a men's World Cup. Born and raised in Manchester, Iqbal represents Iraq through his mother while his father is Pakistani.
Iqbal told BBC Sport: "To be honest, I didn't even know it myself. I followed the account that posted it and sent it to my dad straight away. I think we were both surprised." He emphasized his respect for both heritage sides, stating: "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."
The midfielder displays both countries' flags on his boots during matches. "I wear the Iraqi flag on my left side and the Pakistani flag on my right side," he explained. "I think that's because I respect both sides. When people ask me what I feel more connected to, I can't answer. For me, they're both equal. It's about respect and something I carry with a lot of pride."
Pakistan, with a population exceeding 240 million, has never qualified for a men's World Cup and ranks 198th in FIFA rankings. This moment represents significant symbolic weight for the nation's football community.
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