GOAL reported on 23 October that Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar's international eligibility situation remains unresolved. The outlet said he still hopes to play for Belgium again after switching from Belgium to Serbia in 2021.
His only Serbia appearance
On 1 September 2021, Serbia beat Qatar 4-0 in a friendly in Debrecen. Svilar replaced Predrag Rajkovic at half-time to make his senior international debut for Serbia, and that remains his only senior appearance.
Svilar was in Serbia's squad for the next four World Cup qualifiers but did not play again.
From Belgium youth teams to a switch
Svilar was born in Antwerp, Belgium, in August 1999 and grew up in Belgium. His father, Ratko Svilar, is described as a former Yugoslavia goalkeeper who won nine caps.
Svilar played for Belgium youth national teams from under-15 level onwards. At just 10, he moved from Beerschot AC to RSC Anderlecht, and in 2017 he left Anderlecht for Benfica at just 18. Svilar moved to Italy from Benfica in 2022.
Svilar said: "I learned a lot from my father, almost everything. I have the same style as him."
GOAL says he has sought a FIFA exemption
In 2021, Svilar switched national associations from Belgium to Serbia. GOAL reported that he chose Serbia partly on his father's advice, but soon regretted the decision.
According to GOAL, when Svilar did not establish himself quickly as first choice, he soon decided he no longer wanted to play for Serbia and sought a return to the Belgian association. Under FIFA's statutes as described by GOAL, a player who switches national associations cannot switch back after playing a senior international for the new country, whether a friendly or a competitive match.
GOAL reported that Svilar has sought an exemption from FIFA for years that would allow him to play for Belgium again. According to GOAL, in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup, he reportedly tried again to persuade FIFA to allow him to play for Belgium, but got nowhere. According to a report in Gazzetta dello Sport cited by GOAL, Svilar has not given up hope of switching national associations again, back to Belgium, despite the latest disappointment in the summer.
What Belgium and Serbia coaches said
Then Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco said in spring 2024: "We have, of course, been following him for many months. But it is clear that he cannot play for us."
According to GOAL, Svilar remains unwilling to play for Serbia, though he would be allowed to do so. Serbia coach Veljko Paunovic said around a year ago on TV Arena Sport: "I spoke to him. He has decided not to play for the team any more. I'm sorry. I tried to take that approach, to show him that he is important and that he has a place in the national team if he wants to be here."