Sharif is among the diaspora players named in the Ocean Stars’ squad for back-to-back Group G matches against Guinea and Uganda, both set to be played in Marrakech, Morocco. Somalia will open the window against Guinea on September 5, followed by Uganda on September 8.
The recall ends a nearly two-year absence from international duty for Sharif, who last featured for Somalia in October 2023. His selection comes after a televised performance in Connah’s Quay’s league opener against Colwyn Bay, which caught the attention of Somalia’s technical staff, particularly head coach Yusuf Ali Nur, who had reportedly been monitoring Sharif for several months.
“Abdi has been outstanding since he arrived,” said Connah’s Quay head coach John Disney. “He’s tactically disciplined, positionally smart, and brings a calmness to our midfield. For a manager, his versatility and willingness to adapt are invaluable.”
Sharif was born in Qoryoley, Somalia, in 2001 and moved with his family to Liverpool at age three. Raised in Toxteth alongside nine older brothers, he joined Liverpool FC’s youth system at the age of nine after initially training with the club from six. At Kirkby Academy, he developed under Steven Gerrard, who once praised his “unmatched stamina” and ability to play multiple roles across the pitch.
In 2019,
he signed a professional deal with Liverpool and featured in their successful FA Youth Cup campaign, scoring in a decisive penalty shootout. But his rise was abruptly halted by an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2020. The club extended his contract to
support his recovery, an uncommon gesture that reflected the regard in which he was held.
After being released, Sharif joined Wigan Athletic following a successful trial in 2022. He scored in pre-season matches and eventually made his senior debut in May 2023, coming on in a 0–0 draw against Rotherham United at the DW Stadium. That appearance made him the
first Somali footballer to feature in the English Championship, a historic moment both for him and his national team.
He also had a short loan spell with AFC Telford United and played for Aberystwyth Town before signing for Connah’s Quay in July 2025, following Aberystwyth’s relegation to Cymru South.
Sharif’s profile aligns closely with Somalia’s current recruitment strategy. The Ocean Stars are in the midst of a long-term rebuild, looking to blend domestic prospects with diaspora-based professionals who offer experience and flexibility. Sharif, who is comfortable as a central midfielder, right back, or even as a wide midfielder, fits that model.
“Midfield’s the position I want to play in but if the team need a position to be played then I’m always up for that. I’m always available,” Sharif told Empire of The Kop in 2019 after signing his first professional contract with Liverpool.
It’s a sentiment that has followed him throughout his career and continues to define his role at Connah’s Quay, where he wears the No. 23 shirt.
Somalia currently sits at the bottom of Group G after opening defeats to Algeria and Mozambique. With only group winners guaranteed progression to the next phase, the national team’s coaching staff hopes Sharif’s tactical intelligence, European training, and leadership can help stabilize a youthful squad.
According to Transfermarkt, Sharif’s market value sits at €25,000 as of May 2025. BeSoccer’s analytics rank him as one of the top midfielders in the Cymru Premier by positional discipline and pass success rate—a sign of consistency following years of instability.
Sharif’s return to international football reflects a journey shaped by injury, displacement, and perseverance. His roots in Toxteth, one of Liverpool’s most diverse communities, and his rise through the elite ranks of English football have positioned him as a role model for many young Somali players in Europe