The day football united war-torn Syria

CAIRO – 7 September 2017: It was a different day for Syrians who finally found something to reunite them and bring them joy after five years of a war that has ruined their country.

Syria surprised football fans when they qualified to the last stage of the Asia Qualifiers to the World Cup. However, everyone thought that that would be the end for the,m especially after the draw put them with the continent giants - Iran, South Korea and Uzbekistan - but Syrian players wouldn’t back down.

Syria fought against the giants despite the poor start, losing to Uzbekistan 1-0; their meet against South Korea ended with a draw 0-0, and won against China on their land 1-0.

Syria lost their fourth match 1-0 to Qatar and ended their match against Iran in a draw 0-0, before defeating Uzbekistan 1-0.

Syria’s loss to South Korea 1-0 in Seoul didn’t prevent the players from pursuing their dreams with three remaining games.

At this point, something different happened, Syrian players who were away from the national team for supporting the revolution decided to return to strengthen the squad in this decisive stage, and the Syrian federation who supports the regime welcomed them.

Saudi Arabian League’s top scorer, Omar El Souma and Syrian former Captain, Firas El Khatib, returned to the squad for the important games against Qatar and Iran.


The Syrian team returned from China with an important last minute draw to find themselves away from the World Cup dreams just with two victories left in their last two matches of the qualifiers.


Syria defeated Qatar 3-1 with El Souma’s and El Khatib’s participation and went to the last game in Iran with two options; either to reach the World Cup by winning, which would directly qualify them, or ending with a draw which would send them to the plays-off.

The day of the match was a different one for all Syrian families, inside or outside the country, as people gathered to watch the game despite their differences; all united behind their dream.

Syria started the game very well, scoring the first goal but was met with two goals from the previously qualified Iran to kill the Syrian dream. However, the Syrian desire to revive again was unquenchable; El Souma scored the equalizer for Syria at the last minute to earn a place in the plays-off for the first time in their history. El Souma’s goal will always be remembered as the moment Syrians forgot their suffering and pain and started dreaming again.

Syria still has a long journey to qualify for the World Cup; they will play 2 play-off games against Australia and if they win, as everyone on earth except the Australians hopes, they will meet the fourth placed team in North America to decide who will end up in the World Cup.

Syrian players proved that they have a dream to fight for, and once again football proves it is more than just a game.