Pakistan-origin footballer Zidane Iqbal is set to make history by becoming the first player of Pakistani descent to feature in a FIFA World Cup while representing Iraq, 24NewsHD TV reported on Tuesday.
Born in Manchester, Zidane Iqbal has strong ties to both Pakistan and Iraq.
His father, Amir Iqbal, hails from Sahiwal, while his mother is Iraqi.
Under FIFA eligibility rules, Iqbal was qualified to represent Pakistan, Iraq or England at the international level.
He initially played for Iraq's Under-23 side in 2021 before making his senior international debut for Iraq in 2022.
After representing Iraq's senior national team in official competition, he became tied to the Iraqi side under FIFA regulations.
Football officials say Pakistan was unable to secure the midfielder's services amid administrative and organisational challenges that affected the country's football system in previous years.
Iqbal's football journey began at the age of nine when he joined the academy of Manchester United.
He later progressed through the club's youth ranks and made an appearance for Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League in 2021.
Speaking about the prospect of becoming the first Pakistani-origin footballer to feature in a FIFA World Cup, Iqbal said his father and friends had informed him about the significance of the achievement.
He added that while he has never visited Iraq, he has travelled to Pakistan and remains connected to his heritage.
His rise to international football is being viewed as a landmark moment for Pakistan-origin players and a source of pride for football fans in the country.