Lebanon women's national football team facts for kids
Nickname(s) | صبايا الأرز (The Lady Cedars) |
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Association | Lebanon Football Association (الاتحاد اللبناني لكرة القدم) |
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Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||||||||||||||||
Sub-confederation | WAFF (West Asia) | ||||||||||||||||
Head coach | Wael Gharzeddine | ||||||||||||||||
Captain | Nathalie Matar | ||||||||||||||||
Most caps | Rana Al Mokdad (29) | ||||||||||||||||
Top scorer | Lili Iskandar (12) | ||||||||||||||||
FIFA code | LBN | ||||||||||||||||
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FIFA ranking | |||||||||||||||||
Current | NR (7 December 2018) | ||||||||||||||||
Highest | 102 (December 2013) | ||||||||||||||||
Lowest | 145 (April – August 2021) | ||||||||||||||||
First international | |||||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Alexandria, Egypt; 19 April 2006) |
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Biggest win | |||||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Amman, Jordan; 9 June 2013) |
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Biggest defeat | |||||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() (Pegeia, Cyprus; 12 March 2015) |
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Arab Women's Cup | |||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 2 (first in 2006) | ||||||||||||||||
Best result | Group stage (2006, 2021) | ||||||||||||||||
WAFF Women's Championship | |||||||||||||||||
Appearances | 5 (first in 2007) | ||||||||||||||||
Best result | Runners-up (2022) | ||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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The Lebanon women's national football team represents the country of Lebanon in international women's football. This team, also known as "the Lady Cedars", was started in 2005. The Lebanon Football Association (LFA) manages the team.
Even though they haven't yet played in the FIFA Women's World Cup or the AFC Women's Asian Cup, they've done well in other competitions. They finished second in the 2022 WAFF Women's Championship. They also earned third place in the same championship in 2007 and 2019.
Lebanon played their first game in 2006, losing 12–0 to Algeria. Their biggest win was 12–1 against Kuwait in 2013. The team's home uniform is mostly red, and their away uniform is white. These colors match the national flag.
Contents
History of the Lady Cedars
Early Years: 2005–2018
The Lebanon women's national team, nicknamed "the Lady Cedars", was one of the first women's teams in West Asia. Their first match was a big 12–0 loss to Algeria in 2006. They finished last in that tournament without scoring any goals.
In their first WAFF Women's Championship in 2007, they lost two games but then beat Syria 7–0. This win helped them finish in third place. In the 2011 WAFF Championship, they won one game against Syria but were knocked out after losing to Iran and the UAE.
In 2014, Lebanon tried to qualify for the 2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup. This was their first big qualification tournament. They lost to Jordan and Uzbekistan. However, they ended their campaign with a huge 12–1 win against Kuwait.
The team was supposed to play in the 2018 Asian Cup qualifiers. But they decided not to play because they refused to play in the West Bank.
Recent Achievements: 2019–Present
In 2019, Lebanon played in the 2019 WAFF Women's Championship. They lost to hosts Bahrain but then beat the UAE 2–0. After another loss to Jordan, they won 3–0 against Palestine, securing third place.
In the 2021 Arab Women's Cup, Lebanon had their first-ever draw against Tunisia. They lost to hosts Egypt but then beat Sudan 5–1. They finished third in their group.
For the 2022 Asian Cup qualifiers, Lebanon won against the UAE and Guam. However, a loss to Myanmar meant they didn't qualify for the Asian Cup.
In 2022, Lebanon played in the 2022 WAFF Women's Championship in Jordan. They beat Palestine and Syria but lost to Jordan. This strong performance led them to finish as runners-up for the first time. Lili Iskandar from Lebanon was named the best player of the tournament.
Match Results and Upcoming Games
As of February 2024, the Lebanon women's national team has played 59 official matches. They have won 24 games, had 3 draws, and lost 32 games. They have scored 104 goals and let in 168 goals. Their biggest win was 12–1 against Kuwait in 2013. The team's longest winning streak is 5 games.
Here are some of their recent match results:
- Legend
Win Draw Loss
2023 Matches
In 2023, Lebanon participated in the 2023 SAFF Tournament in Saudi Arabia.
- On September 18, they won 4–1 against Laos.
- On September 21, they won 3–2 against Bhutan.
- On September 27, they drew 0–0 with Malaysia in the semi-finals, but won 4–3 in a penalty shootout.
- On September 30, they won the final 1–0 against Bhutan after extra time, becoming champions!
2024 Matches
In 2024, Lebanon played friendly matches and competed in the WAFF Championship.
- On February 13, they won a friendly 1–0 against Syria.
- On February 15, they won another friendly 3–1 against Syria.
- In the 2024 WAFF Women's Championship, they had a strong start:
- On February 19, they won a thrilling game 4–3 against Guam.
- On February 21, they won 3–2 against Saudi Arabia.
- However, they lost 0–2 to Jordan on February 23.
- In the semi-finals on February 27, they lost 1–2 to Nepal, ending their championship run.
Team Players
Current Squad
Here are the players who were called up for a training camp in July 2024.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
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GK | Lamitta El Dib | 2 September 2005 | 14 | 0 | ![]() |
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GK | Clara Khalil | 28 May 2004 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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GK | Selena Malaeb | 26 May 2005 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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GK | Nour Hammoudy | 8 March 2007 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Dima Al Kasti | 13 December 2001 | 23 | 4 | ![]() |
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DF | Waed Raed | 9 November 2006 | 21 | 1 | ![]() |
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DF | Amina Karime | 20 December 2005 | 17 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Julie Atallah | 28 July 2005 | 13 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Karly Harfouche | 3 August 2004 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Tia Rita Daher | 16 February 2006 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Tiana Jaber | 9 May 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Haya Najjad | 6 January 2008 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Asiyah Zreika | 7 April 2006 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Nathalie Matar (captain) | 20 September 1995 | 26 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Syntia Salha | 12 January 2003 | 26 | 7 | ![]() |
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MF | Zahwa Arabi | 2 November 2005 | 19 | 2 | ![]() |
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MF | Stephanie El Kazzi | 29 September 2004 | 11 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Paula Karam | 20 September 2007 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Tatianna Kanaan | 9 February 2007 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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FW | Lili Iskandar | 16 May 2002 | 24 | 12 | ![]() |
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FW | Christy Maalouf | 20 December 2005 | 21 | 10 | ![]() |
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FW | Cecile Iskandar | 12 March 2007 | 6 | 1 | ![]() |
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FW | Leah El Hajj Ali | 4 June 2008 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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FW | Serena Mansour | 4 July 2006 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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FW | Sherin Hasno | 25 March 2007 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Recent Call-ups
These players were part of the national team in the last year but are not in the current squad.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
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GK | Marcelle Skaiki | 1 February 2007 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 WAFF Championship |
GK | Sinal Breiche | 3 March 2003 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 SAFF Tournament |
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DF | Rana Al Mokdad | 18 November 1998 | 29 | 1 | ![]() |
2024 WAFF Championship |
DF | Lara Bou Hamra | 16 February 2004 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 WAFF Championship |
DF | Ayana Rezkalla | 21 April 2008 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 WAFF Championship |
DF | Clara El Najjar | 19 December 2004 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Tala Abi Akl | 13 January 2006 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
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DF | Celine Al Haddad | 12 March 2001 | 17 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 SAFF Tournament |
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MF | Yara Bou Rada | 7 August 2000 | 26 | 2 | ![]() |
2024 WAFF Championship |
MF | Christina Tikle | 31 August 2004 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 WAFF Championship |
MF | Lama Abdin | 9 September 2006 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Marie-Therese Tikli | 29 May 2003 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Celine Bitar | 17 July 2007 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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MF | Yasmine Hamdar | 24 July 2007 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 SAFF Tournament |
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FW | Samira Awad | 30 June 2000 | 27 | 5 | ![]() |
2024 WAFF Championship |
FW | Hanin Tamim | 5 April 2000 | 21 | 8 | ![]() |
2024 WAFF Championship |
FW | Angelina Saade | 23 June 2006 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
2024 WAFF Championship |
FW | Pilar Khoury | 25 August 1994 | 8 | 3 | ![]() |
2023 SAFF Tournament |
FW | Lea Hachem | 25 August 2006 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
2023 SAFF Tournament |
FW | Hiba Allouch | 28 June 2004 | 10 | 1 | ![]() |
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Player Records
Here are some of the top players for Lebanon, based on how many games they've played and how many goals they've scored.
- Players in bold are still active with Lebanon.
Most Games Played
Rank | Player | Caps (Games) | Goals | Years Played |
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1 | Rana Al Mokdad | 29 | 1 | 2017–present |
2 | Samira Awad | 27 | 5 | 2018–present |
3 | Nathalie Matar | 26 | 0 | 2015–present |
Yara Bou Rada | 26 | 2 | 2018–present | |
Syntia Salha | 26 | 7 | 2021–present | |
6 | Lili Iskandar | 24 | 12 | 2018–present |
7 | Dima Al Kasti | 23 | 4 | 2019–present |
8 | Taghrid Hamadeh | 22 | 2 | 2006–2015 |
Sara Bakri | 22 | 7 | 2006–2017 | |
10 | Hanin Tamim | 21 | 8 | 2018–present |
Christy Maalouf | 21 | 10 | 2021–present | |
Waed Raed | 21 | 1 | 2021–present |
Top Goal Scorers

Rank | Player | Goals | Caps (Games) | Average Goals per Game | Years Played |
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1 | Lili Iskandar | 12 | 24 | 0.5 | 2018–present |
2 | Christy Maalouf | 10 | 21 | 0.48 | 2021–present |
3 | Hanin Tamim | 8 | 21 | 0.38 | 2018–present |
4 | Sara Bakri | 7 | 22 | 0.32 | 2006–2017 |
Syntia Salha | 7 | 26 | 0.27 | 2021–present | |
6 | Nadia Assaf | 5 | 7 | 0.71 | 2007–2013 |
Samira Awad | 5 | 27 | 0.19 | 2018–present | |
8 | Dima Al Kasti | 4 | 23 | 0.17 | 2019–present |
9 | Iman Chaito | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2007 |
Pilar Khoury | 3 | 8 | 0.38 | 2021–present | |
Hiba El Jaafil | 3 | 14 | 0.21 | 2006–2013 | |
Lara Bahlawan | 3 | 17 | 0.18 | 2011–2021 |
Tournament Records
This section shows how Lebanon has performed in different football tournaments.
FIFA Women's World Cup
Lebanon has not yet qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup. They did not enter many early tournaments.
FIFA Women's World Cup Record | |||||||||
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Year | Outcome | ||||||||
1991–2011 | Did not enter | ||||||||
2015 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
2019 | Withdrew | ||||||||
2023 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
2027 | To be determined |
Summer Olympics
Lebanon has not yet qualified for the Summer Olympics football tournament.
Summer Olympics Record | |||||||||
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Year | Outcome | ||||||||
1996–2016 | Did not enter | ||||||||
2020 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
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Did not qualify | ||||||||
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To be determined |
AFC Women's Asian Cup
Lebanon has not yet qualified for the AFC Women's Asian Cup.
AFC Women's Asian Cup Record | |||||||||
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Year | Outcome | ||||||||
1975–2010 | Did not enter | ||||||||
2014 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
2018 | Withdrew | ||||||||
2022 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
2026 | To be determined |
Arab Women's Cup
Lebanon has played in the Arab Women's Cup twice, reaching the group stage both times.
Arab Women's Cup Record | |||||||||
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Year | Outcome | ||||||||
2006 | Group stage | ||||||||
2021 | Group stage |
WAFF Women's Championship
Lebanon has had good results in the WAFF Women's Championship, finishing as runners-up once and third place twice.
WAFF Women's Championship Record | |||||||||
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Year | Outcome | ||||||||
2005 | Did not enter | ||||||||
2007 | Third place | ||||||||
2010 | Did not enter | ||||||||
2011 | Group stage | ||||||||
2014 | Did not enter | ||||||||
2019 | Third place | ||||||||
2022 | Runners-up | ||||||||
2024 | Semi-finals |
Other Tournaments
Lebanon has also played in other friendly tournaments.
Tournament | Outcome |
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Group stage |
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Fourth place |
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Champions |
FIFA World Rankings
Lebanon first appeared in the FIFA World Ranking in September 2011. Teams need to be active to be ranked. Lebanon was sometimes unranked because they didn't play for 18 months. Their best ranking was 102nd in December 2013. Their lowest ranking was 145th in 2021.
The table shows Lebanon's ranking in December of each year, plus their highest and lowest positions for that year.
Best ranking Worst ranking
Year | Position | Highest | Lowest |
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2011 | 127 | 124 | 127 |
2012 | 117 | 117 | 127 |
2013 | 102 | 102 | 111 |
2014 | NR | 109 | 119 |
2015 | 125 | 122 | 130 |
2016 | NR | 122 | 123 |
2017 | NR | NR | NR |
2018 | 134 | 134 | 134 |
2019 | 137 | 135 | 139 |
2020 | NR | 141 | 141 |
2021 | 140 | 140 | 145 |
2022 | 142 | 141 | 143 |
2023 | 134 | 134 | 142 |
See also
- List of women's national association football teams
- Lebanon women's national under-20 football team
- Lebanon women's national under-17 football team
- Lebanese Women's Football League
- Women's football in Lebanon