Karachi: When Haris Zeb enters the Fifa Club World Cup this month, he will make the story as the first footballer of Pakistani to compete in a FIFA World Cup event.
For Auckland City’s 24-year-old fin, this milestone represents more than personal achievement-is a triumph over cultural expectations, threatening career injuries and Pakistani football underdog regime.
In an exclusive interview with Geo NewsZeb talked about the journey of football – characterized by five -foot injuries – his future goals and availability for the Pakistan football team.
Born in New Zealand to Pakistani immigrant parents, Zeb grew up in a limited Christchurch house shared three families. Football became his escape, though his path was very smooth.
“At first, my family said I was wasting time with football,” Zeb recalls. “In our Pakistani community, they expect to become a doctor or a lawyer.”
Growing up in New Zealand to immigrant parents, Zeb faced early skepticism to pursue the beautiful game professionally.
The lack of popularity of football between the Pakistani community did not discourage him. “I played cricket like every Pakistani kid, but joy was not the same,” he said, adding: “Football was always my passion.”
Things started to change when he began to find success at the age of 18. “As soon as I started to achieve results, everyone started supporting me,” he says. “Today. My family is proud.”
This pride will reach new heights when facing global power like Bayern Munich – a perspective that still looks surreal.
“I used to play against these teams in video games with my brother. Now I will actually face them,” the footballer observed.
Auckland City cannot enter Bayern and others. But Zeb, who once played, as these teams in video games are indifferent. “This is an opportunity once in life. I will give 100%.”
The Zeb trail almost ended before it really started. Between 2021-2023, he suffered five transfers required by two surgeries. “I had a contract in Finland that fell due to injury,” he reveals. “I thought my dream was crushed.”
His persistence was rendered with a special 2024 season with Birkenhead United who won him a point in the Auckland City World Cup team. “Allah writes the destiny of all,” Zeb said.
His distinctive performances for the team include three goals in the Triumph of the ofc Champions League and now a part in the Club World Cup, where the Auckland side will face giants such as Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors and Benfica.
While Zeb has flourished in New Zealand, the questions remain about his availability for the Pakistani national team. He was called for the 2023 AFC qualifiers, but could not participate due to injury.
“I should be in the camp this time, but my focus was the FIFA Club World Cup,” he said. “I am in touch with the Pakistan Football Federation and the coach,” Zeb says. “If selected for future matches I’ll be available.”
Zeb added that he believes that Pakistan is the sleep of Asian football.
“I regularly watch Pakistan’s football, the ban and the FIFA political issues have stopped progress, but things seem to be back on the street, I believe that the Pakistan team should play more matches and I am sure that the mixture of local and the mixture will do it.
For his growing fanbase in Pakistan, Zeb sent a honest message and said: “Love from Pakistan means everything to me. If the opportunity is given, I want to represent Pakistan. “
As for what will follow? “They don’t go beyond the future,” Zeb smiles. “I just pray to keep playing well,” he concluded.
a href=”https://www.geo.tv/latest/608808-haris-zeb-first-pakistani-origin-footballer-to-feature-in-fifa-club-world-cup”>Source link
