Manchester United academy graduate Zidane Iqbal made history as the first Pakistani-origin player to appear at the FIFA World Cup. The 22-year-old came on in the 58th minute for fellow midfielder Zaed Ismael during Iraq's opening match against Norway.
Despite Iraq's 4-1 loss, Iqbal's substitution marked a special moment for the British Pakistani diaspora, the wider British Asian community, and millions of Pakistani football fans worldwide.
Zidane Iqbal is the closest Pakistan has come to the World Cup, and the Manchester-born United Academy graduate is the highest-profile Pakistani-origin player in years.
Born in England to a Pakistani father and an Iraqi mother, Iqbal takes great pride in his multinational heritage. He wears the flags of both his parents' countries on his boots.
He became the first Iraqi to play for Manchester United's first-team in 2021 and the first-ever British South Asian to play in the UEFA Champions League.
Iqbal has since made 22 appearances for Iraq, scoring twice, and established himself as a regular squad member through their World Cup qualification cycle.
