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Lebanon women's national football team facts for kids

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Lebanon
Nickname(s) صبايا الأرز
(The Lady Cedars)
Association Lebanon Football Association
(الاتحاد اللبناني لكرة القدم)
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
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current NR (7 December 2018)
Highest 102 (December 2013)
Lowest 145 (April – August 2021)
First international
Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon 0–12 Algeria 
(Alexandria, Egypt; 19 April 2006)
Biggest win
Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon 12–1 Kuwait 
(Amman, Jordan; 9 June 2013)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Greece.svg Greece 14–0 Lebanon 
(Pegeia, Cyprus; 12 March 2015)
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
Women's football
WAFF Women's Championship
Silver 2022 Jordan
Bronze 2007 Jordan
Bronze 2019 Bahrain

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.

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

Lebanon Women 2019 WAFF
The Lebanon women's team at the 2019 WAFF Women's Championship award ceremony.

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.

Information correct as of 5 July 2024
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Lamitta El Dib (2005-09-02) 2 September 2005 (age 19) 14 0 Lebanon EFP
1GK Clara Khalil (2004-05-28) 28 May 2004 (age 21) 2 0 Lebanon Helium
1GK Selena Malaeb (2005-05-26) 26 May 2005 (age 20) 1 0 Lebanon Akhaa Ahli Aley
1GK Nour Hammoudy (2007-03-08) 8 March 2007 (age 18) 0 0 Lebanon SAS

2DF Dima Al Kasti (2001-12-13) 13 December 2001 (age 23) 23 4 Lebanon SAS
2DF Waed Raed (2006-11-09) 9 November 2006 (age 18) 21 1 Lebanon SAS
2DF Amina Karime (2005-12-20) 20 December 2005 (age 19) 17 0 Lebanon BFA
2DF Julie Atallah (2005-07-28) 28 July 2005 (age 19) 13 0 Lebanon SAS
2DF Karly Harfouche (2004-08-03) 3 August 2004 (age 20) 5 0 Lebanon SAS
2DF Tia Rita Daher (2006-02-16) 16 February 2006 (age 19) 2 0 Lebanon SAS
2DF Tiana Jaber (2000-05-09) 9 May 2000 (age 25) 0 0 Australia Wellington Phoenix
2DF Haya Najjad (2008-01-06) 6 January 2008 (age 17) 0 0 Lebanon BFA
2DF Asiyah Zreika (2006-04-07) 7 April 2006 (age 19) 0 0 Lebanon EFP

3MF Nathalie Matar (captain) (1995-09-20) 20 September 1995 (age 29) 26 0 France USPSO
3MF Syntia Salha (2003-01-12) 12 January 2003 (age 22) 26 7 Lebanon BFA
3MF Zahwa Arabi (2005-11-02) 2 November 2005 (age 19) 19 2 Lebanon EFP
3MF Stephanie El Kazzi (2004-09-29) 29 September 2004 (age 20) 11 0 Lebanon EFP
3MF Paula Karam (2007-09-20) 20 September 2007 (age 17) 1 0 Lebanon Helium
3MF Tatianna Kanaan (2007-02-09) 9 February 2007 (age 18) 0 0 Lebanon Salam Zgharta

4FW Lili Iskandar (2002-05-16) 16 May 2002 (age 23) 24 12 Saudi Arabia Al-Ittihad
4FW Christy Maalouf (2005-12-20) 20 December 2005 (age 19) 21 10 France Paris FC 2
4FW Cecile Iskandar (2007-03-12) 12 March 2007 (age 18) 6 1 Lebanon SAS
4FW Leah El Hajj Ali (2008-06-04) 4 June 2008 (age 17) 2 0 Lebanon BFA
4FW Serena Mansour (2006-07-04) 4 July 2006 (age 18) 2 0 Lebanon EFP
4FW Sherin Hasno (2007-03-25) 25 March 2007 (age 18) 0 0 Denmark Brøndby IF U19

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
GK Marcelle Skaiki (2007-02-01) 1 February 2007 (age 18) 0 0 Lebanon Super Girls 2024 WAFF Championship
GK Sinal Breiche (2003-03-03) 3 March 2003 (age 22) 10 0 Lebanon BFA 2023 SAFF Tournament

DF Rana Al Mokdad (1998-11-18) 18 November 1998 (age 26) 29 1 Lebanon SAS 2024 WAFF Championship
DF Lara Bou Hamra (2004-02-16) 16 February 2004 (age 21) 8 0 Lebanon BFA 2024 WAFF Championship
DF Ayana Rezkalla (2008-04-21) 21 April 2008 (age 17) 2 0 Lebanon EFP 2024 WAFF Championship
DF Clara El Najjar (2004-12-19) 19 December 2004 (age 20) 2 0 Lebanon No Limits v. Flag of Syria.svg Syria, 15 February 2024
DF Tala Abi Akl (2006-01-13) 13 January 2006 (age 19) 1 0 Lebanon EFP v. Flag of Syria.svg Syria, 15 February 2024
DF Celine Al Haddad (2001-03-12) 12 March 2001 (age 24) 17 0 Lebanon SAS 2023 SAFF Tournament

MF Yara Bou Rada (2000-08-07) 7 August 2000 (age 24) 26 2 Lebanon EFP 2024 WAFF Championship
MF Christina Tikle (2004-08-31) 31 August 2004 (age 20) 4 0 Lebanon BFA 2024 WAFF Championship
MF Lama Abdin (2006-09-09) 9 September 2006 (age 18) 7 0 Lebanon BFA v. Flag of Syria.svg Syria, 15 February 2024
MF Marie-Therese Tikli (2003-05-29) 29 May 2003 (age 22) 2 0 Lebanon BFA v. Flag of Syria.svg Syria, 15 February 2024
MF Celine Bitar (2007-07-17) 17 July 2007 (age 17) 0 0 Lebanon SAS v. Flag of Syria.svg Syria, 15 February 2024
MF Yasmine Hamdar (2007-07-24) 24 July 2007 (age 17) 2 0 Lebanon ÓBerytus 2023 SAFF Tournament

FW Samira Awad (2000-06-30) 30 June 2000 (age 24) 27 5 Lebanon SAS 2024 WAFF Championship
FW Hanin Tamim (2000-04-05) 5 April 2000 (age 25) 21 8 Lebanon SAS 2024 WAFF Championship
FW Angelina Saade (2006-06-23) 23 June 2006 (age 19) 5 0 Lebanon BFA 2024 WAFF Championship
FW Pilar Khoury (1994-08-25) 25 August 1994 (age 30) 8 3 France Strasbourg [fr] 2023 SAFF Tournament
FW Lea Hachem (2006-08-25) 25 August 2006 (age 18) 1 0 Lebanon SAS 2023 SAFF Tournament
FW Hiba Allouch (2004-06-28) 28 June 2004 (age 20) 10 1 Lebanon FC Beirut v. Flag of Palestine.svg [[Palestinian National Authority {{{altlink}}}|Palestinian National Authority]], 21 July 2023

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

2020 SAS vs Safa (friendly) 07 (Rana Mokdad)
Rana Al Mokdad has played the most games for Lebanon, with 29 appearances.
Rank Player Caps (Games) Goals Years Played
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

2020 SAS vs Safa (friendly) 07 (Lili Iskandar)
With 12 goals, Lili Iskandar is Lebanon's all-time top goalscorer.
Rank Player Goals Caps (Games) Average Goals per Game Years Played
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
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
Year Outcome
1996–2016 Did not enter
2020 Did not qualify
France 2024 Did not qualify
United States 2028 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
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
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
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
Egypt 2010 Arabia Women's Cup Group stage
Armenia 2021 Armenia Friendly Tournament Fourth place
Saudi Arabia 2023 SAFF Friendly Tournament 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  

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
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