Syria Secures Historic Third Consecutive AFC Asian Cup Qualification
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Syria’s national football team has officially qualified for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, hosted by Saudi Arabia, after a decisive 3–0 victory over Myanmar. This achievement marks a historic milestone for Syrian football, representing the first time the nation has qualified for three consecutive Asian Cup tournaments in the 21st century.
Syria’s path to qualification was solidified on Matchday 4 of Asian qualifying, but the victory wasn’t without its challenges. Initial reports from Enab Baladi indicated a relatively subdued performance from the Syrian side before halftime, with Myanmar’s goalkeeper proving a formidable obstacle. The first half concluded without either team finding the back of the net.
Second-Half Surge Seals Victory
The Syrian team emerged with renewed vigor after the break, immediately pressing for a goal. An early opportunity narrowly missed, and a subsequent attempt by Mohammad al-Salkhadi was off-target. A goal scored by Pablo Sabbagh was controversially disallowed due to a handball call, adding to the tension. However, the breakthrough finally arrived after the 80th minute, with Sabbagh scoring twice and al-Salkhadi adding a final goal to secure the 3–0 win.
Dominant Qualifying Campaign
The victory caps off a perfect qualifying campaign for Syria, who currently top Group E with a flawless record of 12 points from four matches. The team has demonstrated impressive form, scoring 11 goals while conceding only one. Their journey to qualification included a 2–0 win against Pakistan, a narrow 1–0 victory over Afghanistan, and a previous win against Myanmar on Matchday 3. Known as the Qasioun Eagles (Nosour Qasioun), the team has consistently delivered strong performances.
Remaining Fixtures
Syria’s qualifying schedule continues with two remaining matches:
- Pakistan vs. Syria, November 18, 2025, at al-Janah Sports Stadium, Pakistan.
- Afghanistan vs. Syria, August 31, 2026, at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium, Saudi Arabia.
Looking Ahead to the 2027 Tournament
Syria will be making their eighth appearance at the AFC Asian Cup, having previously competed in seven editions. Their best result to date remains reaching the Round of 16 at the Qatar 2023 tournament. This latest qualification signals a period of sustained growth and ambition for Syrian football, as they aim to build on their recent successes and make a deeper run in the 2027 competition.
