December 9 – The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime has prompted the country’s football federation to change the national team’s kit and logo from red to green.
On Sunday, Syrian rebels captured the capital, Damascus, without resistance following a swift advance that forced Assad to flee to Russia, ending a 13-year civil war and six decades of autocratic rule by his family.
As the events unfolded, the Syrian FA announced it was changing the colour of its logo and the kit of the men’s first team to mark a new age for sport in the country.
Announcing the update on Facebook, the federation declared: “This marks the first historic transformation in Syrian sports, free from nepotism, favouritism, and corruption.”
The decision reflects a broader shift in the nation’s political and cultural identity, signalling a fresh chapter for Syrian sports.
Established in 1936, the Syrian Football Association oversees a team with a rich history of regional and international competition. Known as the “Qasioun Eagles,” the national team has participated in major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the AFC Asian Cup. While periods of political instability and limited resources have posed challenges, Syrian football has enjoyed moments of regional success, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s.
The country qualified for the last two Asian Cup final tournaments and seven of the last nine.
Football remains a vital cultural force in Syria, uniting communities and providing a sense of hope during tumultuous times. The adoption of the green kit is seen as sympbolising a new identity for the national team and representing the nation’s broader aspirations.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734878093labto1734878093ofdlr1734878093owedi1734878093sni@g1734878093niwe.1734878093yrrah1734878093
