Glasgow Rangers forward Ryan Naderi, born in Dresden, joined the Czech national football team in September 2026 ahead of a Nations League match against Spain.
The footballer Ryan Naderi, a forward for the Scottish club Glasgow Rangers, joined the Czech national football team in September 2026 and arrived for its first training camp of the season.[1][2] He was born in Dresden in 2003 and also grew up there as a footballer.[1][2]
The route to the national team
He was approached about the national team by the general manager of the national teams, Pavel Nedvěd, in August 2026, after Rangers' match against Jablonec in Conference League qualifying.[2][3] Naderi said he accepted the offer without hesitation and tried himself to help with the necessary formalities. He described cooperation with the football association as good.[2][3] Once the documents were settled, he became a Czech international.[1]
He was not yet available to the new coach Santi Denia for the first two Nations League matches, against Croatia and England. He watched the match against England from the stands at the Eden stadium.[2][3] According to reports from 30 September 2026, he could make his first international appearance on Saturday 3 October 2026 in Oviedo against Spain.[1][2]
Coach Santi Denia said of him: “He is an important player for the future, but of course he will help us now as well.”[1]
Naderi's statements
Naderi described the decision to represent the Czech Republic as a clear choice. He expressed his ties to several countries with the words: “To be honest, I have three nations in me and I am proud of all of them.”[2][3] He added that he had learned the Czech national anthem because he considers it important to know it.[2][3]
Chronology
- — Footballer Ryan Naderi, born in Dresden to a Czech mother, decided to represent the Czech Republic and joined the national team ahead of Saturday's Nations League match against Spain. iDNES.cz ČTK / České noviny
Sources
- iDNES.cz — 30 September 2026
- ČTK / České noviny — 30 September 2026
- Deník.cz — 30 September 2026