Top 5 best Qatari football players in history: A well-deserved No.1 spot for Akram Afif

Qatar continue to build on their recent progress after hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, as they have now secured a historic place at the 2026 edition through the qualification route for the first time. Drawn in Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland and a UEFA play-off winner, they face a demanding challenge, and while they may not be favourites, their presence at this stage reflects how far they have come.

There is also growing optimism around a promising generation of players who have helped raise the team’s level in recent years, giving them every reason to approach the tournament with confidence.

In this article, Soccer24.net presents the Top 5 best Qatari football players in history.

Top 5 best Qatari football players in history

5. Abdulaziz Hatem

Born in 1990, Abdulaziz Hatem has established himself as one of Qatar’s most reliable midfielders, combining versatility with a powerful left foot and a real threat from distance. He has spent his entire professional career in the Qatar Stars League, representing clubs such as Al-Arabi, Al-Gharafa and Al Rayyan.

At international level, Hatem has been a consistent presence for the Qatar national team, earning around 127 caps and contributing 11 goals. He is particularly noted for his impact in crucial moments, having developed a reputation as a player who delivers on the big stage. That quality was evident during Qatar’s historic AFC Asian Cup triumph in 2019, where he played a key role and was named in the Team of the Tournament. He later added another title in 2023, underlining his importance to the national side over an extended period.

4. Abdelkarim Hassan

Abdelkarim Hassan is widely regarded as one of the most influential defenders not only in Qatar but across Asian football. A key figure in the country’s so-called golden generation, he has combined physical strength with consistency, becoming a cornerstone for both club and country.

At club level, he enjoyed sustained success with Al Sadd SC, where he established himself as a serial winner. His impact was equally significant on the international stage, playing a central role in Qatar’s triumph at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. A year earlier, he had already made history by being named Asian Footballer of the Year in 2018, becoming just the second Qatari to receive the award after Khalfan Ibrahim.

Hassan made his senior debut at the age of 17 and went on to earn around 133 caps for the national team, contributing 15 goals along the way, which further highlights his influence from a defensive position.

3. Saad Al Sheeb

Saad Al-Sheeb stands as the only goalkeeper on this list and is widely considered the finest in Qatari football history. Renowned for his sharp reflexes and composure under pressure, he has been a cornerstone of the national team’s golden generation.

Born in 1990, Al-Sheeb has spent his entire professional career with Al Sadd SC, establishing himself as a true one-club man. Over the years, he has made more than 200 appearances in all competitions and played an important part in the club’s AFC Champions League triumph in 2011.

On the international stage, he made his debut in 2009 and has since earned over 115 caps for Qatar. He was instrumental in their AFC Asian Cup successes in both 2019 and 2023, with his performances in the 2019 tournament particularly outstanding. During that campaign, he set a record by going 609 consecutive minutes without conceding, only seeing his run end in the final against Japan.

2. Hassan Al-Haydos

Hassan Al-Haydos, much like Saad Al Sheeb, has built his entire career around Al Sadd SC and is widely regarded as one of the club’s defining figures. 

Over the course of his club career, Al-Haydos has made more than 330 league appearances for Al Sadd, scoring over 100 goals and establishing himself as one of the most prolific domestic players in Qatar Stars League history. His influence has also been felt at international level, where he became Qatar’s most-capped player with 183 appearances, while contributing 41 goals to rank among the country’s all-time leading scorers.

He brought his international career to a close in March 2024 following Qatar’s second successive AFC Asian Cup triumph, marking the end of a significant chapter. Within Qatari football, Al-Haydos is often viewed as a link between past generations and the modern era, having played a key role in the team’s rise on the continental stage. His individual quality has also been recognised with the Qatar Football Association Player of the Year award in 2015, along with multiple honours as the best player in the domestic league.

1. Akram Afif

At 30, Akram Afif remains at the peak of his powers and is widely regarded as the finest player Qatar has produced. Known for his vision, close control and composure in front of goal, he has consistently set the standard for attacking players in the region.

Afif’s career has also taken him abroad, as he became the first Qatari to sign for a La Liga side with Villarreal, while also gaining experience at Sporting Gijón and KAS Eupen. However, it was upon his return to Qatar in 2018 that he truly established himself as the dominant force in the domestic game.

On the international stage, he ranks among Qatar’s leading scorers with 41 goals in 132 appearances, underlining his importance to the national side. His record in the AFC Asian Cup further highlights his impact, as he remains the only player to score a hat trick in a final, doing so against Jordan in 2023, and he also holds the record for the most goal involvements across two editions of the tournament.

Attention now turns to the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where Afif is expected to lead Qatar’s challenge and further strengthen his standing as the country’s greatest ever player.

Top 5 best Qatari football players in history

5. Abdulaziz Hatem

4. Abdelkarim Hassan

3. Saad Al Sheeb

2. Hassan Al-Haydos

1. Akram Afif

Soccer24 has listed Top 5 best Qatari football players in history

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