Syria national football team facts for kids

The Syria national football team is the official football team that represents Syria in international matches. They are controlled by the Syrian Football Association. The team is often called The Qasioun Eagles (Nusur Qasiun), named after Mount Qasioun near Damascus.

Syria has never played in the FIFA World Cup finals, but they came very close in 2018, reaching the fourth round of qualifications. The team has won several important regional tournaments, including the 2012 WAFF Championship, the 1957 Arab Games, the 1987 Mediterranean Games, and the 2024 Intercontinental Cup. Since December 2010, the team has not been able to play their home games in Syria.

Quick facts for kids
Syria

Nickname(s)	نُسُور قَاسِيُون, Nusur Qasiun (The Qasioun Eagles)
Association	Syrian Football Association (SFA)
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation	WAFF (West Asia) UAFA (Arab world)
Head coach	José Lana
Captain	Omar Al Somah
Most caps	Maher Al-Sayed (109)
Top scorer	Firas Al-Khatib (36)
Home stadium	Various
FIFA code	SYR
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	83 9 (7 February 2019)
Highest	68 (1 July 2018)
Lowest	152 (September 2014, March 2015)
Elo ranking
Current	76 17 (3 March 2019)
Highest	53 (October 1974)
Lowest	125 (September 1984)
First international
Lebanon 1–2 Syria  (Beirut, Lebanon; 26 April 1942)
Biggest win
Syria 13–0 Muscat and 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
Appearances	7 (first in 1980)
Best result	Round of 16 (2023)
Arab Cup
Appearances	7 (first in 1963)
Best result	Runners-up (1963, 1966, 1988)
WAFF Championship
Appearances	8 (first in 2000)
Best result	Champions (2012)
Medal record WAFF Championship Gold 2012 Kuwait Team Silver 2000 Jordan Team Silver 2004 Iran Team Bronze 2007 Jordan Team Bronze 2008 Iran Team FIFA Arab Cup Silver 1963 Lebanon Team Silver 1966 Iraq Team Silver 1988 Jordan Team Palestine Cup of Nations Silver 1973 Libya Team Mediterranean Games Gold 1987 Latakia Team Bronze 1951 Alexandria Team West Asian Games Silver 1997 Tehran Team Silver 2005 Doha Team Bronze 2002 Kuwait Team Arab Games Gold 1957 Beirut Team Silver 1953 Alexandria Team Silver 1997 Beirut Team Bronze 1976 Damascus Team

Team History: From Beginnings to Today

Early Days: 1936–1969

The Syrian Football Federation started in 1936. This was 10 years before Syria became an independent country in 1946. The team joined FIFA in 1937 and the AFC in 1969.

Syria played its first official football match on April 26, 1942. They played against Lebanon and won 2–1. This game was part of a competition called the Coupe Hauteclocque.

In 1949, Syria played its first official World Cup qualifying match against Turkey. They lost 7–0. One of their biggest losses happened five days later against Greece, where they lost 8–0.

At the 1951 Mediterranean Games, Syria lost 8–0 to Egypt. However, they achieved their first big success in 1953, winning a silver medal at the Arab Games. They lost to Egypt in the final.

In 1957, Syria won their first gold medal at the Arab Games in Beirut. They beat Tunisia 3–1 in the final.

Francisc Mészáros became Syria's second coach in 1954.

Between 1958 and 1961, the Syrian team joined with Egypt to form the United Arab Republic national football team. Syria also reached the finals of the Arab Cup twice in the 1960s, but lost both times.

Success in Arab Competitions: 1970s

In the 1970s, Syria often played in the Palestine Cup, which was similar to the Arab Cup. In 1973, they reached the final of the Palestine Cup but lost to Tunisia 4–0.

The team also did well in the 1974 Kuneitra Cup. They reached the final but lost to Morocco after a penalty shootout.

In 1976, Damascus hosted the Arab Games. The Syrian team won bronze medals in the football tournament.

Important Moments and Missed Chances: 1980–1996

Syria's team played in the 1980 Olympics because Iran withdrew. Even though they lost most of their games, they gained valuable experience. They even managed a 0–0 draw against a strong Spain.

The Syrian team played in three Asian Nations Cup tournaments in the 1980s (1980, 1984, 1988). They reached the finals of the Arab Nations Cup in 1988 but lost to Iraq.

In the 1986 World Cup qualifiers, Syria came very close to making history. They won their first two rounds but lost to Iraq in the final qualifying round.

Valeriy Yaremchenko coached Syria to victory at the 1987 Mediterranean Games.

One of their biggest achievements in the 1980s was winning the gold medal at the 1987 Mediterranean Games held in Latakia, Syria. They even beat the French team 2–1.

In 1992, Syria hosted the 1992 Arab Games. The national team finished fourth in the football tournament.

Hopes and Disappointments: 1996–2007

At the 1997 Arab Games, Syria reached the final but lost 1–0 to Jordan.

Syria achieved one of its biggest wins on June 4, 1997, beating the Maldives 12–0. They repeated this score five days later. These matches were part of the 1998 World Cup qualifiers.

The Syrian team reached the finals of the West Asian Football Championship twice, in 2000 and 2004, but lost to Iran both times.

Syria played a friendly match against Iran in 2006.

In the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Syria did not make it to the next stage after losing to Bahrain and Kyrgyzstan.

Syria played against India in the 2007 Nehru Cup.

In 2007, the team played in the 2007 Nehru Cup. They won all their group matches but lost 1–0 to India in the final.

Steady Progress and First Major Title: 2007–2012

In 2007, Syria reached the semifinals of the WAFF Cup. A year later, in the 2008 WAFF Cup, they also reached the semifinals.

In the 2009 Nehru Cup, Syria again reached the final but lost to India in a penalty shootout.

Syria's team lineup against Japan at the 2011 Asian Cup.

The Syrian team qualified for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, which was their first time in the tournament since 1996. They were eliminated in the group stage. Soon after, they were removed from the 2014 World Cup qualifiers because they used a player who was not allowed to play.

In December 2012, Syria won its first major trophy! They beat Iraq in the final of the West Asia Cup with a score of 1–0. This was a historic moment for Syrian football.

Playing Away from Home: 2013–2016

Due to challenges in their country, the Syrian team had to withdraw from the WAFF Cup in 2013. For several years, they could not play matches in their home stadiums.

The Syrian national football team in Tehran during the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification.

Syria did not qualify for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. In 2016, they participated in the 2016 King's Cup, losing in the semifinals but winning the third-place match against the United Arab Emirates.

World Cup Qualifiers: Almost There in 2018

Because of ongoing issues in Syria, the team was not allowed to play home games in their own country. Malaysia stepped in to host all of Syria's home matches for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Syria finished second in their group during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. This meant they moved on to the third round and also qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Syria played against Iran.

On September 5, 2017, Syria made history by qualifying for the play-offs of a FIFA World Cup for the first time ever! They finished third in their group, thanks to a dramatic 2–2 draw against Iran in their last match. This was their best performance in World Cup qualifiers.

Syria vs. Australia

In the play-offs, Syria faced Australia. On October 5, 2017, in Malacca, Syria drew 1–1 with Australia. Omar Al Somah scored a penalty in the 85th minute to tie the game.

Five days later, in the return match in Sydney, Omar Al Somah scored again early in the game. However, Australia's Tim Cahill scored twice, including a goal in extra time. Australia won, ending Syria's dream of reaching the World Cup. Even with only 10 players for part of extra time, Syria fought hard, with Al Somah hitting the post from a free kick in the final moments.

Asian Cup: A Missed Chance in 2019

At the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates, Syria drew 0–0 with Palestine in their first match. However, they did not make it out of the group stage after losing to Australia and Jordan.

2019 Asia Cup: Syria played against Palestine.

Qualification Setbacks: 2019–2024

In the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, Syria started strong, winning their first few matches. They defeated the Philippines, Maldives, and Guam. They also had an important 2–1 win against China.

Nabil Maâloul was Syria's head coach from 2020 to 2021.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the last matches were played in 2021. Syria secured first place in their group, which meant they qualified for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and the third stage of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Omar Khribin, named Asian Footballer of the Year in 2017, is a key player for Syria.

In the third stage of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Syria had a tough time. They lost to Iran and South Korea, and drew with the UAE and Iraq. After a loss to Lebanon, their coach was replaced.

At the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup, Syria showed good form, beating Tunisia 2–0. However, they lost their other group matches and did not advance.

In the final 2022 World Cup qualifying matches, Syria lost to the UAE and South Korea, leading to another coaching change. The team finished fifth in their group.

First Knockout Stage: 2023 AFC Asian Cup

Syria qualified for their seventh AFC Asian Cup in 2023. For the first time in their history, they made it to the knockout stage! They were one of the best third-place teams in the group stage. In the Round of 16, Syria played against Iran. The game ended in a 1–1 draw after extra time, but Syria lost in a penalty shootout.

Recent Challenges: 2024

After two losses to North Korea and Japan in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Syria finished third in their group. This meant they missed out on another World Cup chance and will now compete in the Asian Cup qualifying third round.

New Beginnings: 2024–Present

In December 2024, following big changes in Syria, the Syrian Football Federation announced new home kit and logo colors for the national team. They changed from red to green. This decision was made to show a new start for Syrian football, aiming for fairness and honesty. The team now wears an all-green home kit.

Home Stadiums

Syria's national team plays its home matches at different stadiums across the country.

Home stadiums list
Image	Stadium	Capacity	Location	Last match
	Aleppo International Stadium	53,200	Aleppo	v   Vietnam (18 November 2009; 2011 Asian Cup Q)
	Abbasiyyin Stadium	30,000	Damascus	v   Iraq (22 December 2010; Friendly)
	Al-Hamadaniah Stadium	15,000	Aleppo	v   South Korea (22 February 2006; 2007 Asian Cup Q)
	Al-Jalaa Stadium	10,000	Damascus	v   [[Palestinian National Authority {{{altlink}}}|Palestinian National Authority]] (26 March 2004; Friendly)

Team Image and Rivalries

Main Rivals

Syrian fans before a match with Palestine.

Syria's biggest football rivals are usually teams from nearby countries in the Levant region, like Lebanon and Jordan.

Syria vs. Lebanon

Matches against Lebanon are very important to Syrian fans because of their shared history. Syria has played 25 official games against Lebanon. The first match was in 1942. Syria has won 15 of these matches, drawn 5, and lost 5.

Syria vs. Jordan

Syria's first official match against Jordan was on August 1, 1953, which Syria won 3–1. Over the years, games between Syria and Jordan have become very popular due to their close history and location.

Team Nickname

The Syrian national team is known as Nosour Qasioun, which means The Eagles of Qasioun. This name refers to Mount Qasioun, a mountain that overlooks the capital city of Damascus.

Team Kits

The team's colors are based on the colors of the Flag of Syria. The home kit used to be red. After the changes in December 2024, the team's home color became green. The away kit is always white.

Player Records

Maher Al-Sayed has played the most matches for Syria, with 109 appearances.

Most Appearances

These players have played the most games for the Syrian national team.

Top Goalscorers

Firas Al-Khatib is Syria's all-time top goalscorer with 36 goals.

These players have scored the most goals for the Syrian national team.

Tournament Records

The Syrian national team before their match against Australia at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

FIFA World Cup

Syria has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals.

FIFA World Cup record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1938	Not a FIFA member								Not a FIFA member
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									6	3	1	2	30	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	37	22
2022									18	8	3	7	31	23
2026									6	2	1	3	9	12
Total	0/20	–	–	–	–	–	–	109	47	24	38	217	132

AFC Asian Cup

Syria has played in the AFC Asian Cup seven times, reaching the Round of 16 for the first time in 2023.

Syria during the 2023 Asian Cup match against Australia.

AFC Asian Cup record									Qualification record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1956	Not a AFC member								Not a AFC member
1960
1964
1968
1972	Did not qualify								3	0	2	1	4	5
1976	Withdrew								Withdrew
1980	Group stage	4	2	1	1	3	2		3	2	1	0	2	0
1984		4	1	1	2	3	5		5	3	0	2	9	8
1988		4	2	0	2	2	5		4	3	1	0	8	2
1992	Did not qualify								2	1	0	1	3	4
1996	Group stage	3	1	0	2	3	6	4	3	0	1	6	2
2000	Did not qualify							6	4	1	1	11	3
2004								6	2	1	3	16	10
2007								6	2	2	2	10	6
2011	Group stage	3	1	0	2	4	5	6	4	2	0	10	2
2015	Did not qualify							6	1	1	4	7	7
2019	Group stage	3	0	1	2	2	5	8	6	0	2	26	11
2023	Round of 16	4	1	2	1	2	2	8	7	0	1	22	7
2027	To be determined								8	4	1	3	12	12
Total	Round of 16	25	8	5	12	19	30	75	42	12	21	146	79

WAFF Championship

Syria won the WAFF Championship once, in 2012.

WAFF Championship record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
2000	Runners-up	5	2	1	2	5	2
2002	Fourth place	4	1	1	2	5	6
2004	Runners-up	4	1	1	2	6	13
2007	Semi-finals	3	2	0	1	2	3
2008	Semi-finals	3	1	1	1	2	3
2010	Group stage	2	0	1	1	2	3
2012	Champions	4	2	2	0	5	3
2014	Withdrew
2019	Group stage	4	0	2	2	5	7
2026	Qualified
Total	1 Title	29	9	9	11	32	40

FIFA Arab Cup

Syria has been a runner-up in the Arab Cup three times.

FIFA Arab Cup record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1963	Runners-up	4	3	0	1	9	4
1964	Did not enter
1966	Runners-up	5	3	1	1	9	4
1985	Did not enter
1988	Runners-up	6	2	2	2	5	5
1992	Fourth place	4	0	3	1	2	3
1998	Group stage	2	0	0	2	1	6
2002	Group stage	4	2	0	2	8	6
2012	Did not enter
2021	Group stage	3	1	0	2	4	4
2025	To be determined
Total	0 Titles	28	11	6	11	38	32

Arab Games

Syria has won one gold medal at the Arab Games.

Arab Games record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
1953	Runners-up	3	1	1	1	3	5
1957	Champions	5	2	2	1	12	6
1961	Did not enter
1965	Group stage	4	2	0	2	20	8
1976	Third place	6	3	1	2	6	4
1985	Group stage	2	0	0	2	0	4
1992	See 1992 Arab Cup
1997	Runners-up	5	4	0	1	9	5
1999	Group stage	4	0	4	0	5	5
2007	Did not enter
2011	Withdrew
2023 to present	See Syria national under-23 team
Total	1 Title	33	12	11	10	57	40

Mediterranean Games

Syria has won one gold medal at the Mediterranean Games.

Mediterranean Games record
Year	Round	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1951	Third place	2	0	0	2	0	12
1955	Fourth place	3	0	0	3	0	10
1959	Did not enter
1963	Group stage	3	0	0	3	1	10
1967	Did not enter
1971	Group stage	3	0	0	3	1	4
1975	Did not enter
1979
1983	Group stage	2	0	0	2	0	2
1987	Champions	5	4	1	0	13	3
1991 to present	See Syria national under-20 team
Total	1 Title	18	4	1	13	15	41

Honours

Regional Titles

• WAFF Championship
  • Champions (1): 2012
  • Runners-up (2): 2000, 2004
  • Third place (2): 2007, 2008
• Arab Cup
  • Runners-up (3): 1963, 1966, 1988
• Palestine Cup of Nations
  • Runners-up (1): 1973
• Arab Games
  • Gold medal (1): 1957
  • Silver medal (2): 1953, 1997
  • Bronze medal (1): 1976
• Mediterranean Games
  • Gold medal (1): 1987
  • Bronze medal (1): 1951
• West Asian Games
  • Silver medal (2): 1997, 2005
  • Bronze medal (1): 2002

Friendly Tournament Titles

• AIFF Intercontinental Cup (1): 2024

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Siria para niños

• Syria national under-23 football team
• Syria national under-20 football team
• Syria women's national football team
• Syrian Football Association