Iqbal on inspiring Iraqi kids and the World Cup stage

No football stories are available in today's fact sheet for the Iraqi national team. But there is plenty stirring among fans ahead of Iraq's World Cup campaign.

Zidane Iqbal: "Nothing to lose" against France and Norway

Zidane Iqbal sat down for an interview reflecting on his journey from Manchester United's academy to representing Iraq on football's biggest stage. He spoke about wanting to be an inspiration for Iraqi children, the same way Maicon's World Cup goal first sparked his own interest in the sport.

Iqbal made it clear: Iraq have nothing to lose when they face France and Norway. The midfielder, now a key figure for the national team, is embracing the underdog role and the opportunity to make history for his country.

Aymen Hussein detained ahead of the tournament

Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was reportedly held at the airport for seven hours upon arrival, while a team photographer was denied entry entirely. The incident has sparked frustration among fans, who see it as another example of double standards in how teams are treated at this World Cup.

Fan-reaktioner

The mood among Iraqi supporters is a mix of pride and defiance. Iqbal's interview has fans talking about what it means to see Iraq at a World Cup and the hope it brings to the next generation – read the full discussion here. Meanwhile, the Aymen Hussein airport incident has drawn sharp criticism, with many fans calling out the unfair treatment of smaller nations on the global stage.