Dahoud leaves Syria camp hours before World Cup qualifier, says SFA

Mahmoud Dahoud, who recently switched allegiance from Germany to Syria, left the team camp just hours before his World Cup debut against Myanmar on Tuesday, according to the country's football association (SFA) on Instagram.

"This morning, Mahmoud Dahoud left our national team camp at Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, due to our inability to meet his demands conveyed to us by his agent, which will affect the national team," the SFA said in a statement.

The SFA added that more information would be released later.

The Syrian-born midfielder, who is on loan at VfB Stuttgart from Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion, also issued a statement on Facebook and Instagram to clarify his situation.

"As an experienced football professional... every player should be able to perform at his best to honor his country, his flag and his national team," the 28-year-old said.

"To do this, every player should be put in the best possible conditions, especially on the pitch. Top level football works with specific principles which need to be known, respected and fulfilled."

"When you don’t feel these principles and conditions are matched and the promises made are not fulfilled, you need to step back. If you’re not allowed to be a solution, at least you don’t have to be part of the problem."

Dahoud represented Germany in his youth, winning the under-21 European Championship with them in 2017. He has also earned two caps for Germany's senior national team.

SportsLigue