Akram Afif 2022 FIFA World Cup Preview

It’s time to put the hosts at the center of attention. Although Qatar hardly made its mark on the international soccer scene, it’s good to know that they have plenty of talent to show for in November. This 2022 FIFA World Cup Player Spotlight: Akram Afif pays attention to an overlooked player in a sea of superstars.

2022 FIFA World Cup Player Spotlight: Akram Afif

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Local legend

Afif first got a taste of international soccer in Qatar U23’s AFC u-29 Championship qualification in 2014. He scored the only goal for his nation in the final against DPR Korea to secure the victory. A year later, he made his first appearance with the senior team. Coach Daniel Carreno recognized his skill and was a part of Qatar’s 15-0 victory against Bhutan during the 2018 World Cup Qualification rounds.

It took a while before The Maroon found its stride in more competitive tournaments. They did well during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup campaign where Afif played a critical role in their run to the victory. He closed his account with ten assists overall and a new tournament record.

European experience

The 25-year-old did not feature in the Qatari lineup due to injury. But this time around, we will play an important role in Doha as highlighted in this 2022 FIFA World Cup Player Spotlight: Akram Afif. The winger is the first Qatar-born player to join a Spanish top-tier club. He spent four seasons playing for Villareal CF before returning to Qatar’s local league.

The Aspire Academy graduate holds European experience and played in the La Liga. Afif joined Qatari giants Al Sadd Sports Club in 2020 and received high praise from legends such as Xavi Hernandez. The FC Barcelona icon said that he holds a high ceiling and boasts infinite talent to play. With the right ambition and mentality, he can play for much bigger clubs in the future.

An unexpected hero

Afif’s contribution to his national team is unparalleled, being one of the leading players for the 2019 Asian Cup win, where he scored important goals. He even scored Qatar’s third goal in the final, sealing the 3-1 victory against Japan. His incredible performance in the tournament also earned him the AFC Player of the Year award in 2019. In his previous season for his club, Afif scored 15 goals and provided 19 assists in 27 appearances across three competitions. These numbers helped Al Sadd clinch its 15th league title and is currently a +25,000 underdog to win the tournament’s top goalscorer award.

While little is expected of Qatar, if the tricky winger steps up, we look forward to interesting storylines coming from the hosts in the first round as +1200 underdogs to win Group A.

Where to Bet on the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Bitcoin

Adding to the thrill of league soccer, Nitrobetting keeps the action going with the latest 2022 FIFA World Cup odds. We house early futures odds for the winner, with more game odds as the tournament draws closer.

This is just one of the many sports betting guidesp that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more 2022 FIFA World Cup previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest soccer betting odds on our BTC sportsbook.