India, June 18 -- While the world remains hooked to the on-field drama, an inspiring story about a footballer's personal life has come to light amid the FIFA World Cup 2026, underway in the USA, Mexico and Canada. Aymen Hussein, who appeared in Iraq's opening game against Norway, became the country's second-ever goal-scorer at the biggest stage. He also had a huge role in securing qualification, as Iraq returns to the quadrennial showpiece after 40 years. Hussein's childhood was quite different from that of the other professional footballers of his generation.

Having grown up amid political and social turbulence, he saw his father, who was an Iraqi soldier, being shot dead by al-Qaeda while out in the neighbourhood. The tragedy hit Husse...