Akram Afif #11

Profile

The country’s big star, big hope and the magician on the wing, and not just because he has been known to pull playing cards out of his socks upon scoring. If the two-time Asian Player of the Year plays well, then Qatar have a chance. Did not have the best World Cup in 2022, when hopes were high, and it was also disappointing that he never made it in Europe so this is his big chance to show that he is capable of mixing it with the big boys. Can dribble past defenders and create – there were 10 assists as Qatar won the 2019 Asian Cup – and score: he hit eight goals as Qatar won the 2023 Asian Cup, including a hat-trick in the final. Qatar need Afif to shine.

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