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AFC Asian Cup
As the West Asian side look towards defending their title at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, the two-time AFC Player of the Year's experience, creativity and ability to shine on decisive occasions will once again place him in the spotlight.
Factfile
Age: 29
Caps: 142
Goals: 41
Club: Al Saad SC (QAT)
The Doha-born Afif developed his foundations in Qatar from 2004 with the Al Markhiya and Al Saad youth teams before pursuing opportunities in Spain with Villareal and Sevilla’s U19 sides.
In 2015, he joined Belgian side KAS Eupen before joining Villarreal in 2016, becoming the first Qatari signing in La Liga history. Afif subsequently spent time at Sporting Gijon, where he made his La Liga debut, and again at Eupen before heading home to continue at the top level of Qatari football.
Trivia
Afif registered 11 goal contributions in 2023
– eight goals and three assists
– matching his 11 contributions
from 2019.
The now 29-year-old’s first season on loan at Al Saad, in 2018/19, was phenomenal, with the youngster playing 22 league games, scoring 26 and claiming 15 assists to help them to the league title. Presented the Best Player Award the same season, he joined Al Saad on a permanent basis in 2020.
Afif continues to play a central role in the club's domestic dominance, and has helped secure multiple Qatar Stars League titles from 2020 to 2025/26. His individual contribution was particularly phenomenal in 2023/24, claiming 26 league goals and 11 assists in 22 matches to finish as the competition's top scorer and taking the Wolves to their 17th championship.
It was on the international stage, however, that Afif positioned himself as among Asia's finest attacking talents. His breakthrough came in Myanmar in 2014 when he guided Qatar to their first AFC U-19 Championship title, scoring the only goal of the final against DPR Korea.
At the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™, he played a pivotal role in Qatar's maiden continental triumph, providing a tournament-record 10 assists and scoring in their 3-1 final win against Japan. His performance in the tournament helped established Qatar as a major force in Asian football.
He was also central to their successful title defence at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, scoring eight goals and registering three assists.
The defining moment came in the final against Jordan, where he converted three penalties for a 3-1 win. It was the first hat-trick scored in an AFC Asian Cup final, cementing his place in the competition's history and earning him both Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer awards.
Afif's outstanding performances have also brought individual, Continent-wide recognition. He was named AFC Player of the Year in 2019 and 2023, becoming only the third player to win the prestigious award twice.
As Qatar prepare for Saudi Arabia 2027, Afif will be key to their ambitions of a third consecutive crown. His tournament-winning experience, coupled with his creativity, quality and clinical finishing, gives the Maroons a player capable of making a difference when it matters most.
