By Ashraf Hamed

June 3 (Reuters Sports Service) - Two-time Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif believes the World Cup, which kicks off in North America in a few days, represents an opportunity to "redeem himself" and showcase the significant progress Qatari football has made over the past decade.

The left wing clearly embodies a transformation journey based on hard work, diligence, and overcoming challenges, just as football in his country has developed into a model for organizing major events, most notably the 2022 World Cup, in addition to excellence in television broadcasting networks for sporting events, a strong continental presence, and a legitimate ambition to appear globally.

Afif, 29, was born to parents of Yemeni and Somali descent. His mother is Qatari with Yemeni roots, while his father, Hassan Afif, a former Al-Gharafa player and coach, is of Yemeni origin, born in Tanzania, and represented Somalia. His brother, Ali Afif, also plays for Umm Salal in Qatar.

Afif began his career at Al-Markhiya Academy and then the youth teams at Al-Sadd, before joining Aspire Academy, the factory of sports stars in various games, during the period between 2009 and 2014, where he also had an experience with the youth teams of Sevilla and Villarreal in Spain as part of the exchange program.

In the 2015-2016 season, he moved to Belgian club Eupen, before permanently joining Spanish club Villarreal (2016-2020), becoming the first Qatari player to play professionally for a Spanish club.

During his time with Villarreal, he was loaned to Sporting Gijon in the 2016-2017 season, then to Eupen in the 2017-2018 season, and then to Al Sadd between 2018 and 2020.

Afif moved permanently to Al Sadd in 2020, where he continued to shine and achieved many team titles, individual and continental awards.

Last May, Afif celebrated winning the Qatari League Player of the Year award for the sixth time in his career, a record, and the third time in a row, after leading Al Sadd to their 19th league title.

Afif was also crowned Asian Player of the Year twice (2019 and 2023), after his outstanding role in leading the Qatari national team to win two consecutive Asian Cup titles.

Regarding his professional career, which began after graduating from the Aspire Academy, Afif said in a television interview on the sidelines of his coronation ceremony, "During ten years, at the beginning the player gains experience, learns from the elders, goes through difficult times, endures a lot, and works hard on himself, and then he reaps the rewards."

He added, directing his advice to his teammates at the club and the national team, "Consistency requires commitment, respect for your teammates, and implementing the coach's instructions according to his vision. These are not impossible things, and you may be asked to change your position. The most important thing is teamwork, and when a player is loyal to the team, individual awards will come."

Afif expressed his pride in winning the Best Player in Qatar award for the third time in a row and the sixth time in his career, in light of the presence of world-class players in the league, stressing his desire to improve the image of the national team during the 2026 World Cup, and to "restore the reputation" after the 2022 edition.

He said, "We are currently focused on the World Cup. We do not want to be satisfied with just qualifying, but we aspire to present a level that befits us, and I promise everyone that I will do everything I can to help the Qatari national team (Al-Annabi) appear in an honorable manner."

Qatar is entering the World Cup with the aim of reinventing itself after a disappointing participation in the 2022 edition, when it became the first host country to lose all of its group stage matches, despite large investments and high expectations.

Since then, the Qatari national team has gradually regained its balance at the continental level, retaining the 2023 Asian Cup title, and also securing qualification for the World Cup for the first time through the qualifiers, after qualifying for the 2022 edition as the host country.

In the 2026 edition, Qatar will play in Group B alongside Canada, Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Afif will rely on a proven attacking partnership with striker Almoez Ali, the Qatari national team's all-time top scorer, alongside veteran captain Hassan Al-Haydos, the most internationally capped player, in order to present a different image that reflects the continent's development on the global stage.