Arsenal's Gedion Zelalem Cleared for USMNT International Football Future by FIFA

Arsenal FC player Gedion Zelalem has officially been cleared by FIFA to play for the United States of America in International Football play. This makes the 18-year-old midfielder eligible for the Under-20 2015 World Cup next month, the CONCACAF Gold Cup with the USMNT which takes place this summer and the Under-23 Olympic qualifying team that plays this fall. This news does not affect his Barclays Premier League club position.

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As we previously reported late last year, Zelalem obtained U.S. citizenship in December, and then applied to FIFA to be eligible for the national team system. He had the opportunity to play for Germany or Ethiopia due to his heritage, but chose the USMNT, because he grew up in Maryland before heading to Arsenal. This week, his dream has come true.

The U.S. Soccer Federation was happy to make this announcement this week. Check out a Twitter post from the USS president Sunil Gulati right here:

Pleased to report that Gedion Zelalem has been cleared by #FIFA to represent @ussoccer

— Sunil Gulati (@sunilgulati) May 13, 2015

Meanwhile, the U20 coach Tab Ramos held one spot on his team open for Zelalem when he submitted his roster last week, which has now been filled.

"I'm very excited about this particular group," he said of his young roster. "It was very difficult making the final decision because there were quite a few players who deserved to go to the World Cup. Unfortunately, in the end I can only select a certain number, and I'm very happy with the selections that we made."

What do you think of this sports news regarding Zelalem and U.S. soccer? Let us know in the comments section below!