Report: Dejagah to join Iran for Qatar game

PFDC – TEHRAN, Tehran-born Vfl Wolfsburg winger Ashkan Dejagah will finally debut for Iran in the World Cup qualifier against Qatar, ‘Khabar Online’ reported on Tuesday.

The former German U21 player had announced his willingness to play for Iran’s national team repeatedly in the past, however, he had also declined several invitations, most recently for the 2011 Asian Cup.

However, now Iran assistant coach Omid Namazi told reporters that Dejagah and his agent Reza Fazeli confirmed to Iran boss Carlos Queiroz that the 25-year-old will travel to Tehran a day after Wolfsburg’s Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim on February 25.

Dejagah, who has been named in Queiroz’ preliminary 37-men-squad for the game, had been expected to join Iran’s national team for the previous qualifiers, but couldn’t join, first due to administrative issues in Iran, and then due to injury.

The 2008/09 Bundesliga champion had become eligible to play for Team Melli again in 2009 due to a change in FIFA statutes, allowing players having played in inofficial or youth matches for a country, to switch to another national team under certain circumstances.