Dejan Joveljic called up to Serbian national team

Dejan Joveljic has been called to join the Serbian Men’s National Team in the upcoming international window. The prolific Sporting Kansas City forward was last called up in October of 2024. Joveljic is proud to be representing Serbia again. “I’m very happy to be part of the national team, it’s the biggest thing that can happen to a player,” Joveljic smiled. “I can’t wait to meet the guys again. Meet the coach again. I know all the guys, I’m looking forward to it, and can’t wait.”

Serbia is 39th  in the FIFA world rankings but did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup. They will face two teams that did qualify. Spain is at the top of the rankings and will host Serbia on Friday, March 27 at Estadio de la Ceramica in Villarreal. Serbia will then host 61st-ranked Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, March 31 at TSC Arena in Backa Topola, Serbia.

“It feels amazing, I’m going to do my best because coming from MLS, coming from Sporting Kansas City, some people think that it’s hard to play for the national team, but I’m the example that everything is possible, and people need to pay more attention on this league. I believe it is very strong and after this World Cup it’s going to be huge,” Joveljic stated.

Proud to represent Serbia. Proud to be in @MLS. 💬 @JoveljicDejan pic.twitter.com/T4G3JOjkPy

— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) March 20, 2026

Joveljic has scored at a high rate since joining Sporting KC, and with the LA Galaxy before that. When asked why it had been a year-and-a-half since he was last called up, Joveljic did not know. “I was scoring goals, but the coach now, maybe has different ideas, and this coach worked in MLS, and he knows how this league is strong, even stronger than when he was here. And thanks, he recognized me here. I’ll give my best to keep scoring goals and to be in every national team camp.”

Serbia’s coach is Veljko Paunovic, a former Chicago Fire manager. He took over Serbia in October 2025 and is tasked with getting Serbia ready for the start of play in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League later this year. Paunovic coached Chicago from the end of 2015 through the end of 2019. Chicago’s next head coach was Raphaël Wicky.

🇷🇸🦅 Тим Србије за утакмице против Шпаније и Саудијске Арабије. 🇪🇸🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/Hhlt0CNuv7

— Fudbalski savez Srbije | FA of Serbia (@FSSrbije) March 20, 2026

Joveljic has been one of the top goal scorers in the league, and for Sporting KC

Goals Per Game in Sporting KC History
(regular season only, minimum 15 goals)

1. Dejan Joveljic 0.58 (21 goals in 36 games)
2. Dom Dwyer 0.45 (57 goals in 128 games)
3. Eddie Johnson 0.40 (17 goals in 43 games)

Most MLS Goals Since 2024
(regular season and playoffs)

1. Lionel Messi 61
2. Denis Bouanga 55
3. Sam Surridge 43
4. Dejan Joveljic 42