Zidane Iqbal is living his dream as Iraq prepare for their first World Cup appearance in 40 years. The 23-year-old, born in Manchester to an Iraqi mother, helped secure qualification with a crucial goal against Indonesia during the play-off campaign. Speaking to Sky Sports, Iqbal described the overwhelming support from fans worldwide as 'crazy' and is determined to be at '100 per cent' for the tournament.

His journey includes a historic spell at Manchester United, where he became the first South Asian player to feature in the Champions League. At just 18, Iqbal made his debut against Young Boys in 2021, calling it 'one of the best days of my life.' He trained alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, learning from the Portuguese star's mentality and focus. 'He is probably one of the greatest of all time,' Iqbal said of his former teammate.

A move to Utrecht in 2022 accelerated his development despite two injury setbacks. Playing in front of packed stadiums in the Eredivisie taught him to handle pressure and mature quickly. 'The cereal and the milk in the fridge is not just going to be there at the weekend' he joked about the realities of living abroad.

Iraq faces a daunting Group F against Norway, France and Senegal. Iqbal embraces the challenge, noting that no one expects them to advance. 'Football isn't played on paper,' he insists, ready to test himself against elite opposition and potentially inspire another generation of young players.