Youth career Akram started off in the youth teams of
Al-Markhiya and then
Al Sadd before joining the
Aspire Academy as a full-time student in 2009. During his time at Aspire, Afif traveled to
Spain on an exchange student program and played for the youth teams of
Sevilla and
Villarreal. He represented
Sevilla in the 2013
Al Kass International Cup, netting a
brace and earning an
assist in the team's first match, which ended as a 3–0 victory against Aspire Academy. Afif also later joined
Villarreal's youth team.
Eupen In January 2015, Afif was signed by Belgian club
Eupen. He scored a goal on his debut against
Eendracht Aalst on 19 January 2015. In his next match against
KRC Mechelen, he assisted three of his side's five goals. Afif finished his first senior season with two goals in nine matches. On 18 March 2016, he scored a
brace in a 4–0 home win against
KSV Roeselare.
Villarreal On 8 May 2016, Afif rejoined
Villarreal, this time on a permanent deal. In doing so, he became the first Qatari-born signing in
La Liga history. On 4 August, he was loaned to fellow top tier club
Sporting de Gijón in a
season-long deal. Afif made his debut in the main category of Spanish football on 21 August 2016, coming on as a
substitute for
Burgui in a 2–1 home win against
Athletic Bilbao. After nine league matches, he returned to his first senior club
Eupen on a one-year loan deal on 14 July 2017.
Al Sadd In January 2018,
Villarreal loaned Afif out to
Al Sadd SC on a 1-year deal. The deal was later extended by an additional season. During his loan spell, he played in 22 league games and scored 26 goals and got 15 assists in the
2018–19 season, helping his team win the league. He was also awarded that season's Best Player Award by the
Qatar Football Association (QFA). In July 2020, Afif joined Al Sadd on a permanent basis after signing a 5-year deal. In the
2023–24 season, he played a key role in Al Sadd's successful league campaign, contributing 26 goals and 11 assists within 22 matches, thereby winning the top goal-scorer award and helping his team secure its 17th league title. His consistent performance also earned him a nomination for the Best Player Award by the QFA, which he won. ==International career==