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Akram Afif portraitFW
Photo: Bryan Berlin · CC BY-SA 4.0

Player profile

Akram Afif

Forward · Al Sadd

QatarActive

Akram Afif, two-time AFC Player of the Year and a sixth-time QFA Best Player in May 2026, remains Al Sadd's No. 10 after a 2026 World Cup in which Qatar exited the group with one point and Afif neither scored nor assisted.

Career

Afif came through Al Sadd, had European loans at Eupen, Sporting Gijón and Villarreal, then became the face of Al Sadd's recent domestic run — FotMob lists six Qatar Stars League titles with the club including 2025/26.

The Peninsula reported on 12 May 2026 that he won a third straight QFA Best Player award (sixth overall) after a league season of 14 goals and 12 assists as Al Sadd took a third consecutive QSL title.

At the 2026 World Cup he played the full 90 against Switzerland (1–1, Qatar's first World Cup point) and Bosnia, and was substituted on 59 minutes in a 6–0 loss to Canada after two red cards; he finished the tournament without a goal or assist.

How they play

A right-footed left winger/playmaker. After the Bosnia defeat Julen Lopetegui said every time Afif touched the ball he improved Qatar's attacking play, even without a goal.

Where they are now

He is at Al Sadd (FotMob lists Al-Ahli in the Qatar Stars League on 22 August 2026 as the next fixture).

Bio

Date of birthNovember 18, 1996 (age 29)
BirthplaceDoha
Height177 cm
PositionForward
StatusActive
Current clubAl Sadd

Club career

  1. Al Sadd Sports Club2020
  2. Al Sadd Sports Club2018–2020
  3. Villarreal CF2016–2020
  4. K.A.S. Eupen2017–2018
  5. Sporting de Gijón2016–2017
  6. K.A.S. Eupen2015–2016

International career

  1. Qatar men's national football teamSince 2015Current

Youth caps: U23 (2015–2018) · U20 (2014–2015)

Honours

No honours on record yet.

Defining moments

  1. Sixth QFA Best Player2026

    On 12 May 2026 The Peninsula reported Afif's third straight QFA Best Player award and sixth overall, after 14 goals and 12 assists in Al Sadd's third consecutive league title season.

  2. Qatar's first World Cup point2026

    After the 1–1 with Switzerland he told The National Qatar could make 'double history' by adding a first World Cup win; the side then lost to Canada and Bosnia and went out with that single point.

Latest season stats (ESPN)

Starts (sub-ins): 10 (0)Goals: 1Assists: 5Shots: 15

In our archive

0 appearances0 goals0 assists

We haven’t archived a match featuring this player yet — appearances appear here the moment we cover one.

Sources

Read for this profile

Profile written / last reviewed August 22, 2026.

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Comments

0/2000

Be decent. No links. Slurs are held for review, not published.

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