Manchester United academy graduate Zidane Iqbal made history on Wednesday morning as the first Pakistani-origin player to appear at the FIFA World Cup. Iraq’s Zidane Iqbal is given instructions by Iraq coach Graham Arnold before he is substituted on (REUTERS) During Iraq’s opening match against Norway, the 22-year-old came on in the 58th minute for fellow midfielder Zaed Ismael. Despite his team suffering a 4-1 loss, his substitution marked a special moment for the British Pakistani diaspora, the wider British Asian community, and millions of Pakistani football fans worldwide. Pakistan, ranked 198th in the world, have never qualified for the World Cup, with only one qualification win to their name in their entire history. Zidane Iqbal is the closest they have come to the World Cup, and the Manchester-born United Academy graduate is the highest-profile Pakistani-origin player in years. ALSO READ: Messi’s last dance, Mbappe’s coronation bid: World Cup 2026 sets stage for football’s ultimate trilogy finale Iqbal was born in England to a Pakistani father and an Iraqi mother. Despite being eligible to represent …