Rahmat Akbari (born 20 June 2000) is an Afghan professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Queensland National Premier Leagues side Gold Coast Knights and the Afghanistan national football team.
On 6 October 2017, Akbari made his professional debut in the opening round of the 2017âÂÂ18 season, replacing Nicholas D'Agostino in the 83rd minute as Brisbane Roar were beaten 2âÂÂ0 by Melbourne City at AAMI Park.
Akbari joined Melbourne Victory on a one-year loan in October 2018. He made his Victory debut on 11 November 2018, replacing James Troisi in the 89th minute as they demolished the Central Coast Mariners 4âÂÂ1 at home.
On 4 June 2019, it was announced that Akbari had returned to Brisbane following the completion of his contract.
On 28 June 2023, Georgian top-flight club Torpedo Kutaisi announced it had signed Akbari on a 1.5-year contract.
National Premier Leagues Queensland side Gold Coast Knights announced Akbari's signing on February 14, 2025.
Due to his Afghan heritage, Akbari is available to represent Afghanistan national football team. On 7 March 2022, he reportedly accepted a call-up for Afghanistan to play in two hybrid friendly matches.
Akbari was called up to the Afghan side to play Bangladesh in Dhaka in September 2023. He made his debut in their 1âÂÂ1 draw against Bangladesh at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on 7 September.
Born in Jaghori, Afghanistan to an ethnic Hazara family, Akbari was raised in Pakistan for the first five years of his life, before his family migrated to south-east Queensland as refugees in 2005. Coming to Australia and playing football with his brothers at the local park. He ended up discovering football at the age of 8. This is where he first played for Beenleigh Lions. He eventually moved onto Logan Lightning and he played with them for several years before joining the Brisbane Strikers
Australia U17