PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zaid Tahseen Abd Zaid Hantoosh |
| Date of Birth | 29 January 2001 (Age: 25) |
| Place of Birth | Najaf, Iraq |
| Nationality | Iraqi |
| Height | 1.87–1.93 m / 6 ft 2–4 in |
| Weight | 83–84 kg / 183–185 lbs |
| Position | Centre-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #4 (Pakhtakor), #24 (Iraq) |
| Current Club | Pakhtakor Tashkent |
| Previous Clubs | Naft Al-Wasat, Al-Talaba, Al Quwa Al Jawiya |
| International Caps | 29 |
| International Goals | 1 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Market Value | €565K |
The Frozen Moment
The Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, erupted into celebrations. March 26, 2024. Iraq and the Philippines, locked in a World Cup qualifying clash that would determine the nation’s path toward an historic World Cup return. The score was 4-0, but in the 55th minute, Zaid Tahseen rose at the far post from a corner and powered a header into the net.
It was the first international goal of his career—and it secured a 5-0 victory that propelled Iraq toward their first World Cup appearance since 1986. The celebration was visceral. A boy from Najaf, who had grown up dreaming of wearing the Iraqi jersey on the world’s biggest stage, had taken a crucial step toward making that dream a reality.
Over a year later, on April 3, 2026, Tahseen stood alongside his teammate Fahd Talib and addressed the Iraqi nation. His words captured the weight of the achievement: “We dedicate this achievement to all Iraqi fans. This is a dream we have awaited for nearly 40 years.” He described the moments after the final whistle as “indescribable, as if we were soaring with happiness,” adding that “all players shared these exceptional moments on the field.”
Just weeks later, Tahseen was walking out onto the pitch for Iraq’s World Cup opener against Norway in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Starting in central defense in all three of Iraq’s group matches, he became part of a team that, despite being eliminated in the group stage, had brought joy to a nation that had waited nearly four decades for this moment.
From the youth academies of Najaf to the World Cup stage, Zaid Tahseen had not only realized his own dream but had become part of one of the greatest stories in Iraqi football history.
Origins
Zaid Tahseen Abd Zaid Hantoosh was born on January 29, 2001, in Najaf, Iraq. His footballing journey began in the Iraqi domestic system, where he developed the physical and technical attributes that would define his professional career. Standing at 1.87–1.93 meters, he combines height with strength, making him a formidable presence in the heart of the defense.
His international career began at the youth level. He represented Iraq at the U19 and U23 levels, accumulating caps and experience that prepared him for senior international football. He played for the Iraq U23 team in the 2023 WAFF U23 Championship, which he won with the side, and also represented his country at the 2024 Summer Olympics, making two appearances.
The Forge
Early Career (2019-2021):
Tahseen’s senior career began with Al-Najaf in 2019 before moving to Naft Al-Wasat in the Iraqi Premier League. At Naft Al-Wasat, he made 31 appearances, scoring 1 goal, and established himself as a promising young centre-back.
Al-Talaba (2021-2024):
In 2021, Tahseen made the move to Al-Talaba, one of Iraq’s most historic clubs. Over three seasons, he made 92 league appearances and scored 13 goals—an impressive return for a centre-back. His performances at Al-Talaba attracted attention from larger clubs and earned him recognition as the Iraqi Premier League’s Player of the Month for April 2023. His goal-scoring record from defense, particularly from set pieces, marked him as a formidable aerial threat.
Al Quwa Al Jawiya (2024-2025):
In 2024, Tahseen transferred to Al Quwa Al Jawiya, one of Iraq’s most successful clubs. He made 30 appearances for the club, scoring 2 goals, and featured in the AFC Champions League Two competition. His performances at Al Quwa Al Jawiya continued to build his reputation as one of Iraq’s most promising young defenders.
Pakhtakor Tashkent (2025-Present):
On July 18, 2025, Tahseen made the move to Uzbekistani giants Pakhtakor Tashkent on a one-and-a-half-year contract. The move to Central Asian football provided him with exposure to a new league and competition. In the 2025 season, he made 10 Uzbek Super League appearances, scoring 1 goal, and also featured in the Uzbekistan Cup, making 2 appearances. In the 2026 season, he continued as a regular, making 8 league appearances. Overall at Pakhtakor, he has made 18 appearances, scoring 1 goal. His market value is estimated at €565K.
The International Stage
Iraq Debut and Early Years (2022-2023):
Tahseen made his senior debut for Iraq in 2022. In 2023, he was part of the Iraqi squad that won the Gulf Cup of Nations, adding his first international trophy to his collection. He also featured in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, making 2 appearances.
World Cup Qualification (2023-2026):
Tahseen was a key member of the Iraqi squad that secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup—Iraq’s first appearance on the global stage since their historic debut in Mexico in 1986. He made 13 appearances in World Cup qualifying, scoring 1 crucial goal. His goal came on March 26, 2024, against the Philippines, a 5-0 victory that propelled Iraq toward qualification.
World Cup Campaign (2026):
Tahseen was selected for Iraq’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He started all three of Iraq’s group matches—against Norway (90 minutes), France (59 minutes), and Senegal (75 minutes)—accumulating 224 minutes of tournament football. He recorded 2 shots, 1 yellow card, 3 fouls committed, and 2 fouls won. Iraq was eliminated from the tournament with three losses, but Tahseen’s presence on the global stage was a significant achievement.
International Record:
Tahseen has earned 29 caps for Iraq, scoring 1 goal. He has represented Iraq in World Cup qualification, the AFC Asian Cup, the Gulf Cup of Nations, and the 2026 World Cup finals. He has also represented Iraq at the U19, U23, and Olympic levels. He played in the 2024 Summer Olympics for the Iraq U23 team, making two appearances.
The Anatomy of His Game
Zaid Tahseen is a centre-back defined by his physical presence, aerial dominance, and leadership. Standing at 1.87–1.93 meters, he combines height with strength, making him a commanding figure in the heart of the defense.
In Possession:
Tahseen is a left-footed defender, a valuable asset for possession-based systems. He has contributed goals throughout his career, with 1 international goal and over 15 club goals, demonstrating his ability to contribute in the opposition penalty area, particularly from set pieces. His passing accuracy in international competition has been high—80% in World Cup matches—and he has recorded assists for Iraq, including one in a 2-1 victory over Hong Kong. He also has over 10 international caps across Iraq U23 level.
Out of Possession:
Tahseen’s defensive contributions are his defining quality. His physical attributes make him a dominant presence in aerial duels. He is a disciplined and reliable defender, as evidenced by his 13 appearances in World Cup qualifying. He has been praised for his leadership and composure under pressure.
Psychological Edge:
Tahseen’s mental resilience is his defining quality. His words after World Cup qualification—”This is a dream we have awaited for nearly 40 years. The moments after the final whistle were indescribable, as if we were soaring with happiness”—reflect a player who understands the weight of representing his country. His ability to perform on the biggest stage—starting all three World Cup matches—demonstrates his composure under pressure.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2026 World Cup)
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 3 (All starts) |
| Minutes Played | 224 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Shots | 2 |
| Shots on Target | 0 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 |
| Red Cards | 0 |
| Fouls Committed | 3 |
| Fouls Won | 2 |
| Tackles | 1 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
TABLE B: Career (League)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | Al-Najaf | Iraqi Premier League | — | — |
| 2020-2021 | Naft Al-Wasat | Iraqi Premier League | 31 | 1 |
| 2021-2024 | Al-Talaba | Iraqi Premier League | 92 | 13 |
| 2024-2025 | Al Quwa Al Jawiya | Iraqi Premier League | 30 | 2 |
| 2025-2026 | Pakhtakor | Uzbek Super League | 18 | 1 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 171+ | 17+ |
TABLE C: International Record (2022-2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friendlies | 5 | 0 | — |
| World Cup Qualifiers | 13 | 1 | Scored vs Philippines |
| AFC Asian Cup 2023 | 2 | 0 | — |
| Gulf Cup of Nations | 3 | 0 | Winner (2023) |
| Olympic Games 2024 | 2 | 0 | Represented Iraq U23 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3 | 0 | Started all 3 matches |
| WAFF U23 Championship | — | — | Winner (2023) |
| TOTAL | 29 | 1 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Professional Debut | Al-Najaf |
| 2022 | Iraq Debut | Senior international debut |
| 2023 | Gulf Cup of Nations Winner | Iraq |
| 2023 | WAFF U23 Championship Winner | Iraq U23 |
| 2023 | Player of the Month | Iraqi Premier League (April) |
| 2024 | First International Goal | vs Philippines (WCQ) |
| 2024 | Olympic Games | Represented Iraq U23 |
| 2025 | Pakhtakor Move | Signed for Uzbek giants |
| 2026 | World Cup Qualification | Iraq’s first since 1986 |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Iraq squad |
| 2026 | World Cup Appearance | Started all 3 matches |
What these figures reveal
is a player of remarkable progression and achievement. Tahseen has made over 170 league appearances by age 25, scoring over 17 goals from defense. His 29 caps for Iraq reflect his importance to the national team. His selection for Iraq’s first World Cup since 1986 represents the pinnacle of his career to date.
The Present Tense
Zaid Tahseen is 25 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is Pakhtakor Tashkent’s centre-back, an Iraqi international, and a World Cup participant.
The Pakhtakor Story:
Tahseen joined Pakhtakor in July 2025 on a one-and-a-half-year contract. In the 2025 season, he made 10 league appearances, scoring 1 goal, and made 2 cup appearances. In the 2026 season, he has made 8 league appearances. Overall, he has made 18 appearances for the club, scoring 1 goal. His market value is estimated at €565K.
The World Cup Campaign:
Tahseen was selected for Iraq’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He started all three of Iraq’s group matches—against Norway (90 minutes), France (59 minutes), and Senegal (75 minutes)—accumulating 224 minutes of tournament football. He recorded 2 shots, 1 yellow card, 3 fouls committed, and 2 fouls won. Iraq was eliminated from the tournament with three losses.
International Record:
Tahseen has earned 29 caps for Iraq, scoring 1 goal. He has represented Iraq in World Cup qualification, the AFC Asian Cup, the Gulf Cup of Nations, and the 2026 World Cup finals.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Zaid Tahseen is defined by his journey from the youth academies of Najaf to the World Cup stage. Born in one of Iraq’s most historic cities, he rose through the ranks of Iraqi football to become one of the nation’s most promising young defenders.
His words after World Cup qualification reflect a player with a deep understanding of the significance of his achievement: “We dedicate this achievement to all Iraqi fans. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and thanks for the joy we are experiencing today. This is a dream we have awaited for nearly 40 years.”
He emphasized that qualification was just the beginning: “This achievement marks the beginning of greater ambitions in the World Cup, and the excitement should be renewed with every future participation. Our goal remains to represent Iraq with honor and pride.”
The Verdict from the Camp
Zaid Tahseen, on World Cup qualification:
“We dedicate this achievement to all Iraqi fans. This is a dream we have awaited for nearly 40 years. The moments after the final whistle were indescribable, as if we were soaring with happiness. All players shared these exceptional moments on the field.”
“This achievement marks the beginning of greater ambitions in the World Cup, and the excitement should be renewed with every future participation. Our goal remains to represent Iraq with honor and pride.”
Where Next?
Zaid Tahseen is 25 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is established at Pakhtakor Tashkent in the Uzbek Super League, an Iraqi international, and a World Cup participant.
For Iraq, he represents the future of the defense. His World Cup experience—starting all three matches—will be invaluable for his development. With 29 caps, he will be a valuable squad member for future tournaments, including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and the 2030 World Cup qualification campaign.
For Pakhtakor, he is a key player and a valuable asset. His 18 appearances in the 2025-26 season demonstrate his importance to the club. With his contract at the club, he will be central to Pakhtakor’s ambitions in the Uzbek Super League and AFC Champions League.
His career trajectory is remarkable—from Al-Najaf to Naft Al-Wasat, from Al-Talaba to Al Quwa Al Jawiya, from Pakhtakor to the World Cup. He has earned his place through consistent performance, defensive reliability, and an unwavering commitment to his country.
The boy from Najaf who dreamed of wearing the Iraqi jersey has become a Pakhtakor defender, an Iraqi international, and a World Cup participant. Zaid Tahseen’s journey is a story of talent, determination, and the pursuit of excellence on football’s greatest stage.
