Syria national football team

Syria
Nickname(s)Nosour Qasioun[1]
(Arabic: نسور قاسيون, lit.'Qasioun Eagles')
AssociationSyrian Arab Federation for Football
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationWAFF (West Asia)
UAFA (Arab world)
Head coachValeriu Tița
CaptainOmar Al Soma
Most capsMaher Al-Sayed (109)
Top scorerFiras Al Khatib (36)
Home stadiumAbbasiyyin Stadium
Aleppo International Stadium
FIFA codeSYR
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 85 (19 November 2021)[2]
Highest68 (1 July 2018)
Lowest152 (September 2014, March 2015)
First international
 Lebanon 1–2 Syria
(Beirut, Lebanon; 19 April 1942)[3]
Biggest win
Syria 13–0 Oman
(Cairo, Egypt; 6 September 1965)
Biggest defeat
 Greece 8–0 Syria
(Athens, Greece; 25 November 1949)
 Egypt 8–0 Syria
(Alexandria, Egypt; 16 October 1951)
Asian Cup
Appearances6 (first in 1980)
Best resultGroup stage (1980, 1984, 1988, 1996, 2011, 2019)
FIFA Arab Cup
Appearances7 (first in 1963)
Best resultRunners-up (1963, 1966, 1988)
WAFF Championship
Appearances8 (first in 2000)
Best resultChampions (2012)

The Syria national football team (Arabic: منتخب سوريا لكرة القدم) represents Syria in association football and is controlled by the Syrian Arab Federation for Football, the governing body for football in Syria. Syria has never qualified for the World Cup finals but did reach the fourth qualification round in 2018. The team is currently banned by FIFA from playing at home, as they have not hosted a game since December 2010.[4]

History

Syria participated in the 1950 and 1958 World Cup qualifiers, one of the first teams in the region to do so. Between 1958 and 1961, the team combined with Egypt to form the United Arab Republic national football team, although the team's records are attributed only to Egypt by FIFA. In the 1966 World Cup qualifiers they were one of two teams from the Asian zone (the other being Israel) to be allocated to the European qualifying zone and were originally placed with Spain and the Republic of Ireland. However, they joined the Asian and African boycott of the 1966 qualifiers, due to the decision of FIFA to allocate just one place between Asia and Africa.

Syria has never qualified for the World Cup. The farthest they've gone in qualification was in the 1986 qualifiers when they reached the final qualifying round only to lose to Iraq. They were disqualified from the 2014 World Cup due to the use of an ineligible player.[5]

In December 2012, Syria beat Iraq in the final of West Asia Cup to collect its first major trophy. Syria has, however, competed in six Asian Cups, the last being 2019, but on each occasion were eliminated at the group stage.

Asia Cup 2019, Syria v Palestine

Ever since civil war broke out in the country, Syria have been banned from playing home games in their own country and in fact were one day away from being thrown out of the 2018 World Cup only for Malaysia to swoop in at the last minute and offer to host all of Syria's home games. Syria had a large upturn in fortune as they made it to 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Fourth Round but were eliminated by Australia 3–2 on aggregate.[6]

Kit suppliers

Kit supplier Period Notes
Diadora 2007–2011
Adidas 2012–2013
Lotto 2014–2016
Jako 2017–2020
Uhlsport 2021–

Schedule and recent results

  Win   Draw   Loss


2021

25 March 2021 Friendly Bahrain  3–1  Syria Riffa, Bahrain
Stadium: Bahrain National Stadium
30 March 2021 Friendly Iran  3–0  Syria Tehran, Iran
Stadium: Azadi Stadium
4 June 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Maldives  0–4  Syria Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
20:00 UTC+4 Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Stadium: Sharjah Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Ammar Ali Al Jneibi (UAE)
7 June 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Guam  0–3  Syria Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
18:00 UTC+4 Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Stadium: Sharjah Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Khalid Saleh Alturais (Saudi Arabia)
15 June 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification China PR  3–1  Syria Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
21:00 UTC+4
Report (FIFA)
Report (AFC)
Stadium: Sharjah Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)
26 August 2021 Unofficial Friendly Syria  1–2  Algeria A' Al Wakrah, Qatar
Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium
2 September 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Iran  1–0  Syria Tehran, Iran
20:30 UTC+4:30 Report (FIFA) Stadium: Azadi Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Ryuji Sato (Japan)
30 September 2021 (2021-09-30) Unofficial friendly China PR  1–1  Syria Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
19:00 UTC+4
Stadium: Sharjah Stadium
Attendance: 0 (Behind closed door)
7 October 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification South Korea  2–1  Syria Ansan, South Korea
Report
Stadium: Ansan Wa~ Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)
12 October 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Syria  2–3  Lebanon Amman, Jordan
19:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: King Abdullah II Stadium
Referee: Chris Beath (Australia)
11 November 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Iraq  1–1  Syria Doha, Qatar
20:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Thani bin Jassim Stadium
Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)
16 November 2021 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Syria  0–3  Iran Amman, Jordan
18:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: King Abdullah II Stadium
Referee: Ma Ning (China PR)
30 November 2021 2021 FIFA Arab Cup United Arab Emirates  2–1  Syria Doha, Qatar
22:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Stadium 974
Referee: Janny Sikazwe (Zambia)
3 December 2021 2021 FIFA Arab Cup Syria  2–0  Tunisia Al Khor, Qatar
22:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Al Bayt Stadium
Referee: Fernando Hernández Gómez (Mexico)
6 December 2021 2021 FIFA Arab Cup Syria  1–2  Mauritania Al Wakrah, Qatar
Report
Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium
Referee: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil)

2022

Coaching staff

Manager history

Name Nat Period Matches Wins Draws Losses Honours
Vinzenz Dittrich 1951
Francisc Mészáros 1954
József Albert 1956–1959 1957 Pan Arab Games winners
Miklós Vadas 1960–1965
Cornel Drăgușin 1965–1966
Ezzat Abdel-Wahab 1969
Moussa Shammas 1980
Avedis Kavlakian 1983–1985
Valeriy Yaremchenko 1985–1987 1987 Mediterranean Games winners
Anatoliy Azarenkov 1986–1990
Anatoliy Azarenkov 1992
Virgil Dridea 1992–1993
Yuri Kurnenin 1995-1996
Kevork Mardikian 1997
Mircea Rădulescu 1997–1998
Moussa Shammas March 1999 – September 1999
Dragoslav Popović September 1999 – February 2000
Dragoslav Sridović March 2000 – April 2000
Božidar Vukotić March 2001 – October 2001
Jalal Talebi November 2001 – September 2002 10 9 0 1
Janusz Wójcik March 2003 – August 2003
Božidar Vukotić September 2003 – November 2003
Ahmed Rifaat December 2003 – November 2004
Nizar Mahrous November 2004 – 2005
Miloslav Radenović 2005 – August 2006
Fajr Ibrahim 5 August 2006 – February 2008 24 13 5 6
Mohammad Kwid 10 May 2008 – 20 August 2008 8 4 0 4
Fajr Ibrahim 13 November 2008 – 13 September 2010 28 13 9 6
Ayman Hakeem (Interim) 14 September 2010 – 20 December 2010 5 2 1 2
Ratomir Dujković 28 October 2010 – 8 December 2010 1 1 0 0
Valeriu Tiţa 21 December 2010 – 9 February 2011 6 1 0 5
Claude Le Roy 16 April 2011 – 4 May 2011 0 0 0 0
Nizar Mahrous 22 May 2011 – 18 August 2011 7 5 2 0
Marwan Khoury 7 July 2012 – 30 August 2012 4 1 1 2
Hussam Al Sayed 21 October 2012 – 10 April 2013 8 2 3 3 2012 WAFF Championship winners
Anas Makhlouf 13 April 2013 – 23 October 2013 3 0 1 2
Hussam Al Sayed (Interim) 9 November 2013 – 20 November 2013 3 1 0 2
Ahmad Al Shaar 13 February 2014 – 5 March 2014 1 0 0 1
Muhannad Al Fakeer 18 September 2014 – 5 January 2015 2 2 0 0
Fajr Ibrahim 6 January 2015 – 29 March 2016 14 10 1 3
Ayman Hakeem 9 May 2016 – 20 November 2017 21 6 11 4
Bernd Stange 31 January 2018 – 10 January 2019 11 3 5 3
Fajr Ibrahim 10 January 2019 – 31 December 2019 17 7 3 7
Nabil Maâloul 11 March 2020 – 15 June 2021 7 3 0 4
Nizar Mahrous 7 July 2021 – 16 November 2021 6 0 2 4
Valeriu Tiţa 18 November 2021 – 3 1 0 2

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.

Information correct as of 6 December 2021, after the match against Mauritania.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Ibrahim Alma (1991-10-18) 18 October 1991 69 0 Jableh
22 1GK Taha Mosa (1987-05-24) 24 May 1987 5 0 Al-Wahda
23 1GK Khaled Haj Othman (1987-05-01) 1 May 1987 7 0 Al-Ittihad

2 2DF Ahmad Al Khassi (1999-04-27) 27 April 1999 0 0 Al-Jaish
3 2DF Diaa Al-Haq Mohammad (1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 1 0 Al-Wahda
4 2DF Fares Arnaout (1997-01-31) 31 January 1997 10 0 Al-Manama
5 2DF Youssef Mohammad (1999-06-26) 26 June 1999 10 0 Al-Ahli
6 2DF Amro Jenyat (1993-01-15) 15 January 1993 33 1 Al-Karamah
15 2DF Mohammad Sahyouni (1992-08-08) 8 August 1992 3 0 Al-Karamah
19 2DF Muayad Al Khouli (1993-10-16) 16 October 1993 7 0 Al-Nasr

7 3MF Mohammad Al Hallak (1999-01-01) 1 January 1999 8 0 Al-Manama
8 3MF Ward Al Salama (1994-07-15) 15 July 1994 20 2 Al-Manama
10 3MF Mahmoud Al-Mawas (1993-01-01) 1 January 1993 80 15 Al-Shorta
12 3MF Mohammed Osman (1994-01-01) 1 January 1994 19 1 Sparta Rotterdam
13 3MF Thaer Krouma (1990-02-02) 2 February 1990 18 0 Al-Najma
14 3MF Mohamad Rihanieh (2001-01-01) 1 January 2001 9 0 Al-Ittihad
16 3MF Kamel Hmeisheh (1998-07-23) 23 July 1998 17 0 Tishreen
17 3MF Mustafa Jneid (2000-01-11) 11 January 2000 0 0 Hutteen
18 3MF Mohammad Anz (1995-05-14) 14 May 1995 18 1 Al-Riffa
20 3MF Oliver Kass Kawo (2001-12-03) 3 December 2001 3 1 Järfälla
21 3MF Mohammad Marmour (1995-09-17) 17 September 1995 25 3 Mesaimeer

9 4FW Ali Beshmani (2000-01-14) 14 January 2000 3 0 Tishreen
11 4FW Mahmoud Al Baher (1994-01-03) 3 January 1994 8 2 Al-Riffa

Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up to the Syria squad within the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Abdullatif Al Nassan (1993-01-30) 30 January 1993 0 0 Al-Jaish v.  Iran, 16 November 2021
GK Yazan Ourabi (1997-01-30) 30 January 1997 0 0 Al-Fotuwa v.  Lebanon, 12 October 2021
GK Ahmad Madania (1990-01-01) 1 January 1990 10 0 Tishreen v.  China PR, 15 June 2021
GK Khaled Ibrahim (1996-01-10) 10 January 1996 1 0 Al-Wahda v.  China PR, 15 June 2021
GK Shaher Al Shaker (1993-04-01) 1 April 1993 0 0 Al-Karamah v.  Iran, 30 March 2021

DF Khaled Kurdaghli (1997-01-31) 31 January 1997 14 0 Naft Al-Wasat 2021 FIFA Arab Cup WD
DF Saad Ahmad (1989-08-10) 10 August 1989 6 0 Al-Wathba 2021 FIFA Arab Cup INJ
DF Omar Midani (1994-01-26) 26 January 1994 51 1 Al-Nasr v.  Iran, 16 November 2021
DF Moayad Ajan (1993-02-16) 16 February 1993 62 1 Al-Riffa v.  Lebanon, 12 October 2021
DF Abdul Rahman Weiss (1998-06-14) 14 June 1998 4 0 OFI Crete v.  Lebanon, 12 October 2021
DF Jehad Al Baour (1987-06-27) 27 June 1987 23 1 Al-Jaish v.  United Arab Emirates, 7 September 2021
DF Abdulrazzak Al Mohammad (1995-01-16) 16 January 1995 3 0 Tishreen v.  United Arab Emirates, 7 September 2021
DF Anas Balhous (1986-08-03) 3 August 1986 2 0 Al-Wahda v.  United Arab Emirates, 7 September 2021
DF Hussein Jwayed (1993-01-01) 1 January 1993 31 0 Hutteen v.  China PR, 15 June 2021
DF Youssef Al Hamwi (1997-02-01) 1 February 1997 9 0 Tishreen v.  China PR, 15 June 2021
DF Momen Naji (1996-10-09) 9 October 1996 4 0 Al-Shorta v.  China PR, 15 June 2021
DF Ahmad Al Saleh (1990-05-20) 20 May 1990 54 2 Al-Wahda v.  Maldives, 4 June 2021 INJ
DF Abdullah Al Shami (1994-03-02) 2 March 1994 10 0 Al-Fahaheel v.  Bahrain, 25 March 2021 WD

MF Fahd Youssef (1987-05-15) 15 May 1987 32 0 Al-Shorta 2021 FIFA Arab Cup WD
MF Ahmed Ashkar (1996-12-12) 12 December 1996 22 0 Al-Hidd v.  Iran, 16 November 2021
MF Aias Aosman (1994-10-21) 21 October 1994 15 2 Ionikos v.  Iran, 16 November 2021
MF Israa Hamwiah (1991-02-11) 11 February 1991 5 0 Al-Hala v.  Iran, 16 November 2021
MF Osama Omari (1992-01-10) 10 January 1992 39 6 Al-Hidd v.  Lebanon, 12 October 2021
MF Tamer Haj Mohamad (1990-04-03) 3 April 1990 36 1 Al-Karamah v.  Lebanon, 12 October 2021
MF Youssef Kalfa (1993-05-14) 14 May 1993 23 1 Al-Wahda v.  United Arab Emirates, 7 September 2021
MF Maher Daaboul (1993-12-04) 4 December 1993 3 0 Al-Wathba v.  United Arab Emirates, 7 September 2021
MF Kamel Kawaya (1998-06-06) 6 June 1998 0 0 Tishreen v.  United Arab Emirates, 7 September 2021
MF Simon Amin (1997-11-13) 13 November 1997 1 0 Trelleborgs v.  China PR, 15 June 2021
MF Khaled Mobayed (1993-01-10) 10 January 1993 38 4 Al-Wahda v.  Bahrain, 25 March 2021 INJ

FW Omar Al Somah (1989-03-28) 28 March 1989 30 17 Al-Ahli 2021 FIFA Arab Cup WD
FW Omar Khribin (1994-01-15) 15 January 1994 49 20 Al Wahda v.  Iran, 16 November 2021
FW Alaa Al Dali (1997-01-03) 3 January 1997 7 0 Al-Arabi v.  Lebanon, 12 October 2021
FW Nasouh Al Nakdali (1993-06-15) 15 June 1993 14 0 Tishreen v.  United Arab Emirates, 7 September 2021
FW Mardik Mardikian (1992-03-14) 14 March 1992 37 6 Al-Arabi v.  China PR, 15 June 2021
FW Abdulrahman Barakat (1998-01-01) 1 January 1998 2 0 Al-Muharraq v.  Maldives, 4 June 2021 INJ

SUS Player suspended.
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
RET Retired from the national team.
WD Player withdrew from the squad for non-injury related reasons.

Previous squads

Asian Cup

Player records

As of 4 June 2021[7]
Players in bold are still active with Syria.

Most capped players

Mosab Balhous is Syria's third most-capped player with 86 caps.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Maher Al-Sayed 109 29 1999–2013
2 Ali Diab 97 4 2004–2013
3 Mosab Balhous 86 0 2006–2016
4 Raja Rafe 84 32 2002–2015
5 Tarek Jabban 83 5 1996–2007
6 Mahmoud Al-Mawas 79 15 2012–
7 Nizar Mahrous 76 12 1985–1993
8 George Khouri 74 8 1982–1989
9 Firas Al-Khatib 72 36 2001–2019
10 Feras Esmaeel 69 5 2002–2011

Top goalscorers

Firas Al-Khatib is Syria's all-time record goalscorer with 36 goals.
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Firas Al-Khatib 36 72 0.5 2001–2019
2 Raja Rafe 32 84 0.38 2006–2016
3 Maher Al-Sayed 29 109 0.27 1999–2013
4 Said Bayazid 24 24 1 1997–2001
5 Zyad Chaabo 22 49 0.45 2001–2010
6 Omar Kharbin 20 48 0.42 2012–present
7 Omar Al Somah 17 30 0.57 2012–present
8 Mohamed Al-Zeno 15 44 0.34 2004–2011
Mahmoud Al-Mawas 15 79 0.19 2012–present
10 Avedis Kavlakian 14 1953–1966

Competition records

Syria national football team in Tehran – 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Did not enter Did not enter
1934
1938
1950 Withdrew 1 0 0 1 0 7
1954 Did not enter Did not enter
1958 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
1962 Withdrew Withdrew
1966
1970 Did not enter Did not enter
1974 Did not qualify 6 3 1 2 6 6
1978 Withdrew 4 1 0 3 2 6
1982 Did not qualify 4 0 0 4 2 7
1986 8 4 3 1 8 4
1990 4 2 1 1 7 5
1994 6 3 3 0 14 4
1998 5 2 1 2 27 5
2002 6 4 1 1 40 6
2006 6 2 2 2 7 7
2010 10 6 2 2 23 10
2014 Disqualified 2 0 0 2 0 6
2018 Did not qualify 20 9 5 6 36 22
2022 To be determined 14 7 2 5 27 18
2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/23 98 43 22 33 201 115
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

AFC Asian Cup

Olympic Games

Olympic Games record Olympic Games qualification record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA
1900 to 1968 Did not enter
1972Did not qualify201101
1976Did not enter
1980Round 1301208420231
1984Did not qualify6213610
1988200205
1992 to present See Syria national under-23 team See Syria national under-23 team
Total0 Titles30120814428917
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

WAFF Championship

WAFF Championship record
Year Round Pld W D* L GF GA
2000Runners-up521252
2002Fourth place411256
2004Runners-up4112613
2007Semi-finals320123
2008Semi-finals311123
2010Group stage201123
2012Champions422053
2014Withdrew
2019Group stage402257
2023Qualified
Total1 Title2999113240
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

FIFA Arab Cup

FIFA Arab Cup record
Year Round Pld W D* L GF GA
1963Runners-up430194
1964Did not enter
1966Runners-up531194
1985Did not enter
1988Runners-up622255
1992Fourth place403123
1998Group stage200216
2002Group stage420286
2012Did not enter
2021Group stage310244
Total0 Titles28116113832
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Pan Arab Games

Pan Arab Games record
Year Round Pld W D* L GF GA
1953Runners-up311135
1957Champions5221126
1961Did not enter
1965Group stage4202208
1976Third place631264
1985Group stage200204
1992Fourth place403123
1997Runners-up540195
1999Group stage404055
2007Did not enter
2011Withdrew
2023To be determined
2027
Total1 Title331211105740
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Mediterranean Games

Mediterranean Games record
Year Round Pld W D L GF GA
1951Third place2002012
1955Fourth place3003010
1959Did not enter
1963Group stage3003110
1967Did not enter
1971Group stage300314
1975Did not enter
1979
1983Group stage200202
1987Champions5410133
1991 to present See Syria national under-20 team
Total1 Title1841131541

Asian Games

Asian Games record
Year Round Pld W D* L GF GA
1951Did not enter
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970
1974
1978
1982Group stage302135
1986Did not enter
1990
1994
1998
2002 to present See Syria national under-23 team
Total0 Titles301235
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

West Asian Games

West Asian Games record
Year Round Pld W D* L GF GA
1997Runners-up
2002Third place[8]413054
2005Runners-up413075
Total0 Titles8260129
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Head-to-head record

Honours

Winners (1): 2012
Runners-up (2): 2000, 2004
Fourth place (1): 2002
Semi-finals (2): 2007, 2008
Runners-up (3): 1963, 1966, 1988
Fourth place (3): 1992
Winners (1): 1957
Runners-up (2): 1953, 1997
Third place (1): 1976
Fourth place (1): 1992
Winners (1): 1987
Third place (1): 1951
Fourth place (1): 1955
Runners-up (2): 1997, 2005
Third place (1): 2002

See also

References

  1. Smale, Simon. "Who the Socceroos are facing as the Asian Cup kicks off, and when to watch". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  2. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  3. "Lebanon vs Syria". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  4. "الفيفا يدرس رفع الحظر عن الملاعب السورية". Elsport News. 11 June 2018.
  5. FIFA.com (19 August 2011). "Syria disqualified from 2014 FIFA World Cup". fifa.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  6. Maasdorp, James (10 October 2017). "Australia v Syria World Cup qualifying play-off second leg in Sydney, as it happened". abc.net.au. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  7. Mamrud, Roberto. "Syria - Record International Players". RSSSF.
  8. "Second West Asian Games". West Asian Games Federation. Archived from the original on 15 September 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
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