Zulaka, the first player in Thai League history from Port FC, has been named among the 26-man Iraq national team squad competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
On 1 June 2026, Zulaka, a key defender for Port FC, also known as the “Singha Chao Ta,” a team in Thai League 1 or BYD SEALION 6 LEAGUE 1, was included in the 26-player roster of the Iraq national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, taking place from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
It is understood that the 34-year-old defender has been a vital player for Port FC since his first year with the team, especially contributing to their runner-up finish in the Thai League. This achievement qualified the team for the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time in their history. Additionally, they won the Thailand Champions Cup for the second time in 16 years, the previous win being in 2010. Importantly, he has appeared in 28 matches across all competitions.
Zulaka has been a key member of the Iraq national team since 2015 and has earned 52 caps to date. He has participated in major tournaments including the World Cup qualifiers, the FIFA Arab Cup, and the final stage of the Asian Cup.
Furthermore, the Iraq national team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals for the first time in 40 years. They are drawn in a group with Senegal, France, and Norway. Iraq will open their campaign against Norway on 17 June, followed by matches against France on 23 June and Senegal on 27 June 2026.