Stuttgart's Dahoud wants to play for Syria in switch from Germany

VfB Stuttgart midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud wants to play for his birth country of Syria in the future after previously wearing the Germany shirt, Sky TV reported.

Sky said that Dahoud has informed the Syrian football federation of his intention.

Dahoud, 28, played in German junior teams and also won won two senior caps, but because those two matches in 2020 were friendlies and not official matches switch is still possible.

"Syria is my family's country of origin and my birth country. I learnt early on from my family how privileged we are to live in Germany and how important it is to bring joy to the people of Syria," Dahoud told Sky.

"I would like to do that and am really looking forward to this project close to my heart."

Dahoud previously played at Borussia Mönchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund, and is now back in the Bundesliga at Stuttgart on loan from England's Brighton & Hove Albion.

"I grew up in Germany, have spent my whole life here and was also proud to play for the youth national teams and the senior national team. Germany is my home."

Syria's next games are two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Myanmar on March 21 and 26.

The team has never qualified for a World Cup, but reached the Asian Cup knock-out stages for the first time this year, losing on penalties against Iran in the round of 16.

They are coached by Argentine Hector Cuper, who in the past led Valencia into two Champions League finals and also was in charge of Inter Milan, Egypt, Uzbekistan and DR Congo.