Syria’s National Football Team: Key Players, Rivalries and the Road Through Asian Competition

The Syrian national team has a history you would not wish on anyone. Home matches played outside the country, flights across half a continent, squad reshuffles after every qualifying cycle. And yet the side has repeatedly come within touching distance of a major tournament, troubled favourites, and then left its supporters with a painful ending to remember. The current spell looks more intriguing than many previous attempts. In July 2026, Syria stood 83rd in the FIFA rankings and qualified for the 2027 Asian Cup without dropping a single point.

For those following the project through the RolsBet official website and AFC resources, the interest now goes well beyond the standings. José Lana is broadening his options by bringing in players from clubs abroad. Veterans no longer earn a place on reputation alone, while younger footballers are gradually claiming more minutes. Syria heads to Saudi Arabia with a rare combination for this team — experience, competition, and fresh faces.

Khribin is still important, but the national team is no longer his personal project

As a reminder, after the timely departure of defensive pragmatist Héctor Cúper, ambitious Spanish coach José María Lana took charge of the national side. The new manager is trying to instil a culture of combination play in possession and quick vertical transitions. Omar Khribin still remains the most recognisable attacking player in his squad. In October 2025, he scored a hat-trick against Myanmar as Syria won 5–1. A few days later, the team beat the same opponent again, this time 3–0 in Yangon. As a result, the Qasioun Eagles secured their Asian Cup place ahead of schedule. Pablo Sabbag scored twice in that game.

At the same time, Lana is clearly not building the attack around a single striker. Sabbag, Ammar Ramadan, Mahmoud Al-Aswad, Mohammad Osman and several new overseas-based players were all included in the June 2026 squad. Khribin and Omar Al-Somah missed that camp.

Three names are particularly worth watching.

• Mahmoud Al-Aswad is already playing for the senior national team. In January 2026, the attacking midfielder scored the winning penalty against Qatar at the U23 Asian Cup.
• Ammar Ramadan brings movement to midfield and remains part of Lana’s current player pool.
• Pablo Sabbag adds physical presence and finishing in the penalty area. His brace against Myanmar showed his value in qualifying matches.

Syria finally has a reason to discuss genuine competition within the squad rather than the same couple of familiar names. Incidentally, the easiest way to follow the national team and bet on Syrian matches is through a reliable bookmaker’s app. Installing the RolsBet APK makes it easier to avoid missing important games and catch the best odds.

Asian tournaments: a road through adversity

Syria has never been regarded as one of the favourites in Asian qualifying campaigns. Opponents such as Japan, Iran, South Korea, and Australia operate at a different level in terms of budget, infrastructure, and squad depth. But the Syrians know how to make life difficult for the continent’s heavyweights.

In qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, Syria reached the third round and faced Iran, South Korea, the UAE, Iraq and Lebanon. However, the team finished fifth in Group A with six points from ten matches, recording one victory, three draws and six defeats. Syria did not advance to the Asian playoff, as the UAE secured third place and the opportunity to continue their qualification campaign. Copy

Before the 2023 Asian Cup, Syria had competed in the tournament six times, in 1980, 1984, 1988, 1996, 2011 and 2019. The team had never progressed beyond the group stage, making its first qualification for the round of 16 at the 2023 edition a historic achievement. In Qatar, that run finally ended. The team drew 0–0 with Uzbekistan, lost 0–1 to Australia, and then Khribin scored the only goal against India to send the country into the round of 16 for the first time.

Iran came next. Syria held out for 120 minutes, answered Mehdi Taremi’s penalty with an accurate Khribin spot kick, and took the match to a shootout. Iran won it 5–3. Losing is never pleasant, but the difference from earlier exits was clear. The Syrians left after an even contest with one of Asia’s toughest opponents. In previous Asian Cup appearances, Syria had never progressed beyond the group stage, making the close contest against Iran an important step forward in the team’s continental history.

Iraq, Iran, and Australia have appeared too often at decisive moments

Calling every Syrian meeting with a neighbouring country a fierce derby would be a cheap trick. Still, there are opponents who have repeatedly surfaced at the most painful and important points in the team’s history.

Iraq blocked Syria’s path to the 1986 World Cup, winning the decisive tie 3–1 on aggregate. Three decades later, the Syrians again came close to reaching the global stage. A 2–2 draw with Iran in Tehran sent the team into the Asian playoff for the 2018 World Cup, with Omar Al-Somah equalising deep into stoppage time.

Australia became the next obstacle. The first leg ended 1–1, while Syria lost 1–2 in Sydney after extra time. The same Australian side knocked them out of the 2019 Asian Cup with a stoppage-time goal from Tom Rogic, then beat the Syrians again in the group stage in 2024. If these teams meet again, no additional storyline will be needed.

Challenges and prospects

The main problem facing Syrian football is the lack of home matches. The political situation forces the team to play at neutral venues, while supporters are deprived of the chance to back their side from the stands. Home advantage has become little more than an abstraction.

Logistics are difficult as well. Flights between countries, adapting to different time zones, and the absence of a stable training base all take their toll on results.

And yet the Syrian national team keeps fighting. Young players are getting opportunities, experienced veterans are maintaining their level, and the coaching staff continues to search for tactical solutions. Asian competitions remain the stage where the Syrians prove that their football is still alive.