FIFA and AFC on joint mission to find ways for Syria to return to hosting home matches

September 13 – FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will send a joint mission to Syria to conduct a security assessment in preparation for the country to host friendly matches again.

"Following a meeting between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and President of the Syrian Football Federation (SFA) Salah Edeen Ramadan in Doha, FIFA will also continue its efforts with the relevant authorities, including the United Nations, for measures that would allow its development programs to be fully implemented in Syria,” FIFA wrote in a statement posted on its website.

Syrian national teams still participate in international competitions, but have been banned from hosting matches on their home soil due to the war in the country.

FIFA, however, would like to consider hosting international matches in Damascus again to revive the development of football in the country.

Since 2016, the Syrian FA has received $2.7 million in advanced development funds from FIFA, but no projects have yet been approved.

Syria has been battered by a war that began after the 2011 unrest as part of the wider Arab Spring protests over discontent with the Syrian government.

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