Amidst these conversations, Bangladeshi-born footballer Nabil Irfan has come into the spotlight. Nabil currently plays for Al-Wakrah SC in Qatar’s Stars League and has previously represented Qatar’s U-23 team. Recently, he received a call-up to the Qatar national team camp, selected by Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui for the World Cup qualifying matches against Iran and Uzbekistan.
There is a growing excitement in the country’s football scene around expatriate players. Jamal Bhuiyan was one of the pioneers, followed by others like Hamza Chowdhury, Kazem Shah, Fahmidul Islam, and Samit Shomra, each bringing a unique enthusiasm. Recently, discussions have also focused on another promising talent, Cuba Mitchell.
The Qatar Football Association highlighted Nabil Irfan inclusion on their official Facebook page, drawing significant attention. At 21 years old, Nabil has been with Al-Wakrah SC since 2021. His playing style and position resemble that of Hamza Chowdhury, primarily functioning as a defensive midfielder but also capable of playing as a right back when needed.
Nabil Irfan
Nabil’s roots trace back to Brahmanbaria, Bangladesh, where both his parents come from, though they reside in Qatar for work. Born in Al Wakrah, Qatar, in 2004, Nabil began his football journey at the Aspire Academy before progressing to Al-Wakrah’s youth team. He made his senior team debut at just 17 during the 2021-22 season.
Internationally, Nabil first appeared in the U-16 Asia Cup qualifiers, even playing against Bangladesh. He advanced to Qatar’s U-23 team in 2022 and also represented Qatar in the U-20 Asia Cup in 2023. His steady progression through Qatar’s youth ranks reflects his long-standing presence on the national team’s radar.
In summary, Nabil Irfan exemplifies the rising wave of expatriate footballers with Bangladeshi heritage making their mark abroad, benefiting from early exposure to competitive football environments and now stepping into the senior international stage with Qatar.