Urooj Niazi 
haris zeb makes history at fifa club world cup
Haris Zeb First Pakistani-Origin Footballer at the FIFA Club World Cup
When footballer Haris Zeb takes the field at the FIFA Club World Cup this month, he will become the first player of Pakistani descent to appear in the tournament. He will be wearing New Zealand’s Auckland City FC jersey and has embodied passion, focus, and cultural equality throughout his journey.
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand to Pakistani immigrant parents, Zeb lived with two other families in their small house. Initially, Zeb was discouraged from playing football because his family wanted him to follow a more traditional career path, but his older brother Kaashif “allowed him to pursue football.”
“There’s like a running joke that everyone in the Pakistani community expects you to become either a doctor or a lawyer,” he said. “It is certainly a bit intimidating! But, I knew football was for me.”
Between 2021 and 2023, Zeb endured five-foot injuries—two requiring surgery—and he was eventually vindicated at Birkenhead United in 2024 when he earned a spot on the Auckland City FC squad at the FIFA Club World Cup. While faced with footballing giants such as Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors, and Benfica, Zeb is excited—not scared—but, he sincerely understands that thousands of kids aspire to play for their childhood teams.
