Harib Abdalla: UAE Football Winger and Sharjah Star
The Emirati attacker known for important UAE goals, quick movement and his rise through professional football
Introduction
Harib Abdalla is an Emirati professional footballer who plays for Sharjah FC and represents the United Arab Emirates national team.
He is mainly used as a winger, attacking midfielder or forward. He became widely known after scoring an important goal against South Korea in March 2022. That goal helped the UAE reach the next stage of qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Harib also gained attention through his performances for Shabab Al Ahli, his goals in Asian competitions and his role in the UAE’s qualification journey for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
As of August 2026, he is 23 years old and continues to play professional football in the UAE.
Harib Abdalla Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Harib Abdalla Suhail |
| Date of birth | 26 November 2002 |
| Age | 23 years old as of August 2026 |
| Nationality | Emirati |
| Profession | Professional footballer |
| Main positions | Winger and attacking midfielder |
| Current club | Sharjah FC |
| Former club | Shabab Al Ahli |
| National team | United Arab Emirates |
| Major individual award | UAE Pro League Golden Boy |
| Known for | Important UAE goals and fast attacking play |
Who Is Harib Abdalla?
Harib Abdalla is one of the recognised young footballers from the United Arab Emirates.
He developed his career in UAE club football before becoming an important option for the national team. His ability to run with the ball, attack open spaces and move across the front line allows coaches to use him in several positions.
His professional name appears in different forms on football websites. Some sources call him Harib Abdalla, Harib Suhail, Hareb Abdalla or Harib Abdalla Suhail. These names usually refer to the same Emirati player born on 26 November 2002.
Harib Abdalla’s Age and Nationality
Harib Abdalla was born on 26 November 2002.
He is 23 years old as of August 2026 and is a citizen of the United Arab Emirates.
He represents a younger generation of UAE footballers who gained senior experience at an early age. Other players from this modern generation include Ali Saleh, who has also played an attacking role for the UAE national team.
Early Football Career
Harib began appearing in senior professional football while he was still a teenager.
He developed through the Shabab Al Ahli football system in Dubai. The club gave him opportunities in domestic competitions and the AFC Champions League.
Official league records show that he made six league appearances and scored one goal during the 2019–20 season. These early matches helped him gain experience against established professional players.
His speed and confidence soon made him a useful attacking choice for the team.
AFC Champions League Breakthrough
One of Harib Abdalla’s first major football moments came during the 2020 AFC Champions League.
Shabab Al Ahli were facing Iranian club Shahr Khodro when Harib entered the match as a substitute. He produced an individual attacking run and scored the only goal of the game.
The goal gave Shabab Al Ahli a 1–0 victory.
This performance was important because it showed that Harib could make a difference in a major Asian club competition, even at a young age.
It also introduced him to football supporters outside the UAE.
The Goal Against South Korea
Harib Abdalla became much more famous on 29 March 2022.
The United Arab Emirates faced South Korea in a FIFA World Cup qualification match at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai.
South Korea had already secured qualification, but the UAE needed a positive result to continue its own campaign.
Harib scored the only goal in the UAE’s 1–0 victory. It was his first international goal and came during his first senior start for the national team.
The victory helped the UAE finish third in its group and qualify for a playoff against Australia.
Although the UAE did not reach the 2022 World Cup, Harib’s goal remains one of the most memorable moments of his international career.
Golden Boy Award
Harib’s progress was recognised at the UAE Pro League awards in 2022.
He received the Golden Boy award for the best young Emirati player of the 2021–22 season.
The award recognised his performances for Shabab Al Ahli and his growing importance in UAE football.
He was also selected in the league’s team of leading performers for that season. This placed him alongside experienced UAE football figures, including goalkeeper Khalid Eisa.
Career with Shabab Al Ahli
Harib spent the early and developing years of his senior career with Shabab Al Ahli.
The Dubai club regularly competes for UAE league titles, domestic cups and Asian football honours. Playing for such a club gave Harib experience in matches where winning was strongly expected.
He became part of the Shabab Al Ahli squad that won the 2022–23 UAE Pro League title.
During his time with the club, he played in several attacking positions. He could start from the left wing, move through the middle or support the main striker.
His strongest league scoring season with the club came in 2023–24, when the official league record listed six goals in 21 appearances.
Move to Sharjah FC
Harib later continued his professional career with Sharjah FC.
During the 2025–26 season, he appeared in Sharjah’s starting line-ups and contributed goals in domestic league matches.
He scored in Sharjah’s 3–1 victory over Kalba in January 2026. He also recorded a goal and an assist during a 4–1 win over Dibba in March.
In May 2026, he scored again as Sharjah defeated Khorfakkan 3–1.
These performances showed that he was beginning to establish himself in a new club environment.
According to his official UAE Pro League player profile, Harib recorded 23 appearances, three goals and 1,182 minutes during the 2025–26 league season.
UAE National-Team Career
Harib Abdalla has represented the United Arab Emirates in important international matches.
His goal against South Korea in 2022 gave him early national recognition. He later continued to receive opportunities during the UAE’s qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In September 2024, he scored as the UAE came from behind to defeat Qatar 3–1.
He was also involved in the UAE’s strong 2024 qualifying performances. His attacking movement, pace and willingness to challenge defenders gave the national team another option in wide areas.
In June 2025, Harib scored against Kyrgyz Republic in a 1–1 qualification draw.
The UAE eventually missed qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but Harib remained one of the players who contributed important goals during the campaign.
Harib Abdalla’s Playing Position
Harib Abdalla is commonly described as a winger or attacking midfielder.
Some official competition records also classify him as a forward. This difference is understandable because his role can change depending on the team’s formation.
He can play:
- On the left wing
- On the right wing
- Behind the main striker
- As part of a wider attacking group
- In a more advanced forward position
His flexible role allows him to move between midfield and attack.
Playing Style
Harib’s game is based mainly on movement and direct attacking play.
He often tries to carry the ball toward defenders and enter dangerous areas. His pace helps him attack open spaces, while his ability to move across the front line makes him difficult to mark.
He is not known only for scoring goals. He can also create chances, provide assists and help his team move quickly from midfield into attack.
His most memorable goals have often come in important matches rather than from simply building large scoring totals.
Harib Abdalla Career Statistics
Official UAE Pro League records list the following league figures:
| Season | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | 6 | 1 |
| 2020–21 | 6 | 2 |
| 2021–22 | 17 | 0 |
| 2022–23 | 24 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | 21 | 6 |
| 2024–25 | 23 | 0 |
| 2025–26 | 23 | 3 |
These figures cover domestic league competition and do not include every cup, continental or international match.
Why Is Harib Abdalla Famous?
Harib Abdalla is famous for several clear reasons:
- He scored the winning goal against South Korea in March 2022.
- He won the UAE Pro League Golden Boy award.
- He developed through Shabab Al Ahli’s football system.
- He has represented the United Arab Emirates national team.
- He has scored in AFC Champions League and World Cup qualification matches.
- He continued his club career with Sharjah FC.
His goal against South Korea remains the moment most international football supporters connect with his name.
Major Career Achievements
Harib Abdalla’s confirmed achievements include:
- UAE Pro League Golden Boy for the 2021–22 season
- UAE Pro League champion with Shabab Al Ahli in 2022–23
- Scored his first UAE international goal against South Korea
- Scored in the AFC Champions League as a teenager
- Represented the UAE at the AFC Asian Cup
- Scored during qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Built more than 100 appearances in UAE professional league football
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Harib Abdalla?
Harib Abdalla is an Emirati professional footballer who plays in attacking positions for Sharjah FC and has represented the United Arab Emirates national team.
How old is Harib Abdalla?
He is 23 years old as of August 2026. He was born on 26 November 2002.
Which club does Harib Abdalla play for?
As of August 2026, Harib Abdalla plays for Sharjah FC in the United Arab Emirates.
What position does Harib Abdalla play?
He mainly plays as a winger or attacking midfielder. Some competition records also list him as a forward.
Which club did Harib Abdalla play for before Sharjah?
He played for Shabab Al Ahli, where he developed from a young player into a senior professional.
Why is Harib Abdalla famous?
He is best known for scoring the winning goal when the UAE defeated South Korea 1–0 in March 2022.
Did Harib Abdalla win an individual award?
Yes. He won the UAE Pro League Golden Boy award for the best young Emirati player of the 2021–22 season.
Has Harib Abdalla played for the UAE national team?
Yes. He has represented the UAE in World Cup qualification, the AFC Asian Cup and other international matches.
Did Harib Abdalla play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
No. The United Arab Emirates did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Has Harib Abdalla scored in World Cup qualification?
Yes. He scored important qualification goals against teams including South Korea, Qatar and Kyrgyz Republic.
Conclusion
Harib Abdalla has developed from a teenage Shabab Al Ahli prospect into a recognised UAE international footballer.
His solo AFC Champions League goal showed his early potential, while his winning goal against South Korea made him known to a much wider audience.
He later won the UAE Pro League Golden Boy award, helped Shabab Al Ahli win a league title and continued his club career with Sharjah.
As of August 2026, Harib remains a young professional with valuable domestic and international experience. His next challenge will be to play regularly, improve his goal contribution and remain part of the UAE national-team plans.
