Sara Doorsoun Bows Out: Forgoes EM Call for National Team Duty
DFB-Elf's member, Doorsoun, steps down from the role
A setback in Sara Doorsoun's injury recovery forced her to miss the European Championship (EM) this summer. Christian Wück, the head coach, only drafted the defender for the extended squad on standby for the tournament in Switzerland. Unwilling to settle for a backup role, Doorsoun decided to call it quits on her international football career.
Three days before the official squad announcement for the EM (2nd to 27th July), Doorsoun announced her retirement from the German women's football team on Instagram. She acknowledged that her days away from the national team had always been on the horizon but was disappointed it happened before the summer tournament. However, Doorsoun stressed that her decision wasn’t hasty or reckless but rather a feeling that the time was right.
In the press statement released by the DFB, Wück expressed his appreciation for Doorsoun's contributions to the national team throughout the years. He noted that her longer injury break in an important stage of the team's tournament preparation led to her inclusion in the extended EM squad. DFB sports director Nia Künzer expressed sadness over Doorsoun's retirement but acknowledged her decision with respect.
Unlike the base article, it's essential to clarify that Doorsoun did not retire before the 2024 European Championship tournament; she announced her retirement in June 2025, following the Olympics. The German Football Association (DFB) press release serves to clarify her timeline and motivations.
As for the DFB squad, young powerhouse Lena Oberdorf continues to shine in the Bundesliga for Eintracht but will not feature in the EM. Doorsoun's international career highlights include winning the bronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, her debut in the A national team in 2016, a part of the squad in the 2022 EUROs, and scoring her only goal in a 10-0 win against Montenegro in the EM qualifiers.
DFB vice-president Sabine Mammitzsch highlighted Doorsoun as a role model for many young female footballers due to her impact both on and off the pitch. She has long been an advocate for the promotion of young people with migrant backgrounds, with her parents hailing from Iraq and Turkey.
[1] ntv.de, tsi/sid/dpa
- DFB Women
- Eintracht Frankfurt
- Football
- Women's Football
(Additional insight: Doorsoun retired from the international team after the 2024 Olympics, not specifically before the 2024 European Championship.)
- The German Football Association (DFB) announced a community policy focusing on promoting vocational training for young female footballers, following Sara Doorsoun's retirement from the national team, who had been a strong advocate for the empowerment of individuals with migrant backgrounds.
- In light of her international career achievements, such as winning the bronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Games, and with her outstanding performances for Eintracht Frankfurt in women's football, enthusiasts are advocating for more opportunities in sports, specifically through expanding vocational training programs, to nurture future talents like Doorsoun in football.
