FOXBOROUGH: Zidane Iqbal has become the first player of Pakistani heritage to feature at the FIFA World Cup, making history when he stepped onto the pitch as a substitute for Iraq during their 4-1 defeat to Norway at Boston Stadium on Tuesday.
The former Manchester United midfielder, whose father is Pakistani and mother Iraqi, entered the match in the 59th minute.
“To be honest, I didn’t even know it myself,” Iqbal told the media. “I followed the account that posted it and sent it to my dad straight away. I think we were both surprised.”
Iqbal said his father was a pivotal figure in shaping his professional career.
“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,” he said. “I play for Iraq, grew up in England, but my dad was born in Pakistan. My grandad was a first-generation there, so I have a lot of respect for that side of my family.”
The midfielder said he takes pride in representing both Pakistan and Iraq and will wear both countries’ flags on his boots.
“I wear the Iraqi flag on my left side and the Pakistani flag on my right side,” he said. “For me, they’re both equal. It’s about respect and something I carry with a lot of pride.”
Erling Haaland scored a brace on his World Cup debut as Norway claimed a dominant victory over Iraq in their Group I match.
