Liberia national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Liberia

Nickname(s)	The Lone Stars
Association	Liberia Football Association
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	WAFU (West Africa)
Head coach	Mario Marinică
Captain	Oscar Dorley
Most caps	Joe Nagbe (77)
Top scorer	George Weah (18)
Home stadium	SKD Stadium
FIFA code	LBR
First colors Second colors Third colors
FIFA ranking
Current	150 (7 February 2019)
Highest	66 (July 2001)
Lowest	164 (October–November 2010)
Elo ranking
Current	120 8 (3 March 2019)
Highest	67 (March 2001)
Lowest	151 (February 2009)
First international
Ivory Coast 0–2 Liberia  (Abidjan, Ivory Coast; unknown date 1954)
Biggest win
Liberia 5–0 Djibouti  (Monrovia, Liberia; 29 March 2016)
Biggest defeat
Ghana 6–0 Liberia  (Accra, Ghana; 6 April 1975)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	2 (first in 1996)
Best result	Group stage (1996 and 2002)

The Liberia national football team, known as the Lone Stars, plays for Liberia in international men's football games. The team is managed by the Liberia Football Association. Even though Liberia produced George Weah, who was named the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year, the team has never played in the FIFA World Cup. They have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations only twice, in 1996 and 2002. The Lone Stars are part of both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Team History

African Cup of Nations Journey

Liberia first tried to qualify for the 1965 African Cup of Nations in 1965. They lost their first match against Ivory Coast. They did win a game 3–2 against DR Congo but were eliminated early.

Over the years, Liberia kept trying to qualify. They faced challenges like withdrawing from tournaments or losing close matches. In 1984, they pulled out of the 1984 African Cup of Nations qualifiers. Later, they got their first win in a qualifying match, beating Mauritania 3–1 in the first leg for the 1986 tournament.

A big moment came in the 1996 African Cup of Nations qualification. Liberia won three games and drew four, finishing second in their group. This allowed them to qualify for their first-ever African Cup of Nations tournament! In the main tournament, they beat Gabon 2–1 with goals from Kelvin Sebwe and Mass Sarr Jr.. However, they lost their next game and didn't make it past the group stage.

Liberia qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations again in 2002 African Cup of Nations qualification. They won their group to reach the main tournament for the second time. In the 2002 African Cup of Nations, they drew their first two games against Mali (with a goal from George Weah) and Algeria. But they lost their final group game to Nigeria and were eliminated.

FIFA World Cup Attempts

Liberia first tried to qualify for the 1966 FIFA World Cup. However, they withdrew along with many other African nations. This was a protest because they felt Africa and Asia didn't have enough spots in the tournament.

They returned to World Cup qualifiers in 1982 but were knocked out by Guinea. In 1990, Liberia won their first FIFA qualifying match against Ghana. They finished second in their group but couldn't reach the final round.

The 2002 campaign was Liberia's strongest. They played very well, but a loss to Ghana near the end meant Nigeria took the only qualification spot. Liberia has not yet qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

Team Look

Kit Sponsors

The Liberian team has had different companies make their uniforms over the years. Here's a list of their kit providers:

Kit provider	Period
Hummel	1990–1993
Diadora	1994–1995
Adidas	1996–1998
Weah Sports	1999–2001
Unknown	2002
Adidas	2003–2004
Hummel	2004–2006
Kappa	2006–2008
Adidas	2008
Kubba	2009
Adidas	2010–2012
Erreà	2012
SPECS	2012–2013
Joma	2013–2014
Adidas	2015–2020
Puma	2021–2024
Wanaw	2024–present

Recent Matches

Here's a quick look at how the Lone Stars have played in the last year, including upcoming games.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

In 2024, Liberia played several important matches. They won against Djibouti in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, with goals from Mohammed Sangare and Oscar Dorley. They also had a draw against Namibia and a win against São Tomé and Príncipe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Later in 2024, they drew with Togo and won against Sierra Leone in different competitions.

In early 2025, Liberia played more World Cup qualifiers. They lost to Tunisia but secured a win against São Tomé and Príncipe. The team continues to compete in both the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup qualification rounds.

Coaching Staff

As of February 2024^[update]

Position	Name
Head coach	Mario Marinica
Assistant coach	Kelvin Sebwe
Assistant coach	Harold Gbotoe
Goalkeeping coach	Chris Wesseh
Fitness coach	Desmond Mulbah

Coaching History

Many coaches have led the Lone Stars over the years. Some have been from Liberia, while others have come from different countries. These coaches work hard to help the team improve and achieve their goals.

Players

Current Team Members

These are the players who were recently called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in March 2025.

The numbers for games played (caps) and goals are correct as of September 9, 2024, after the match against Equatorial Guinea.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Junior Yeanaye	(2004-12-19) 19 December 2004 (age 20)
16	1GK	Tommy Songo	(1995-04-20) 20 April 1995 (age 30)	23	0	LISCR
23	1GK	Abdulai Koulibaly	(1995-01-01) 1 January 1995 (age 30)	7	0	Global Pharma
5	2DF	Sampson Dweh	(2001-10-10) 10 October 2001 (age 23)	28	0	Viktoria Plzeň
11	2DF	Mark Pabai	(2000-09-30) 30 September 2000 (age 24)	10	0	Koper
12	2DF	Prince Balde	(1998-03-23) 23 March 1998 (age 27)			FC Rosengård
13	2DF	Nelson Laomie	(2005-04-04) 4 April 2005 (age 20)	1	0	Watanga
15	2DF	Eugene Swen	(1999-11-18) 18 November 1999 (age 25)			Paynesville FC
22	2DF	Sabastin Teclar	(2000-02-28) 28 February 2000 (age 25)	6	0	LISCR
2	3MF	Edward Ledlum	(1999-06-15) 15 June 1999 (age 26)	10	0	Bea Mountain
3	3MF	Sheikh Sesay	(2002-10-24) 24 October 2002 (age 22)	1	1	Gaborone United
4	3MF	Nohan Kenneh	(2003-01-10) 10 January 2003 (age 22)	12	0	Hibernian
6	3MF	Salomon Tweh	(2004-08-30) 30 August 2004 (age 20)
7	3MF	Josiah Cea	(2005-07-31) 31 July 2005 (age 20)			Fassell
9	3MF	Jegbay Morris Konneh	(2003-11-01) 1 November 2003 (age 21)			LISCR
17	3MF	Justin Salmon	(1999-01-25) 25 January 1999 (age 26)			Egersund
19	3MF	Oscar Dorley (captain)	(1998-07-19) 19 July 1998 (age 27)	42	3	Slavia Prague
8	4FW	Divine Teah	(2006-04-19) 19 April 2006 (age 19)	14	2	Slavia Prague
10	4FW	Ayouba Kosiah	(2001-07-22) 22 July 2001 (age 24)			Beerschot
14	4FW	Nicholas Andrews	(1998-08-04) 4 August 1998 (age 26)			Feronikeli
18	4FW	William Gibson	(2007-11-22) 22 November 2007 (age 17)	6	1	Heaven Eleven
20	4FW	Augustine Otu	(1998-04-08) 8 April 1998 (age 27)			Tersana SC
21	4FW	Bryant Farkarlun	(2001-07-14) 14 July 2001 (age 24)			Austin FC

Other Players Called Up Recently

These players have also been part of the team in the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Teddy Kollie	(2005-11-10) 10 November 2005 (age 19)	0	0	Watanga	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
GK	Emmanuel Deanneh	(1997-06-20) 20 June 1997 (age 28)	1	0	Bea Mountain	v.  Djibouti; 26 March 2024
DF	Kemoh Kamara	(1995-07-03) 3 July 1995 (age 30)	20	0	Bea Mountain	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
DF	Natus Jamel Swen	(2004-11-18) 18 November 2004 (age 20)	5	0	Mġarr United	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
DF	Philip Tarnue	(2005-12-25) 25 December 2005 (age 19)	3	0	Watanga	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
DF	Musa Sesay	(2007-02-08) 8 February 2007 (age 18)	0	0	LPRC Oilers	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
DF	Joachim Adukor	(1993-05-02) 2 May 1993 (age 32)	6	0	Sliema Wanderers	v.  Djibouti; 26 March 2024
MF	Mohammed Sangare	(1998-12-28) 28 December 1998 (age 26)	21	3	Bellinzona	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
MF	Chauncy Freeman	(2001-07-26) 26 July 2001 (age 24)	6	0	Watanga	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
MF	Abdulai Bility	(1999-09-08) 8 September 1999 (age 25)	4	0	Heaven Eleven	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
MF	Lawrence Kumeh	(2005-05-01) 1 May 2005 (age 20)	4	0	Paynesville	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
MF	Sheku Sheriff	(1999-09-17) 17 September 1999 (age 25)	3	0	LPRC Oilers	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
MF	Quiah Sholee	(1997-04-07) 7 April 1997 (age 28)	1	0	Invincible Eleven	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
MF	Marcus Macauley	(1991-10-27) 27 October 1991 (age 33)	28	5	PDRM	v.  Djibouti; 26 March 2024
FW	Peter Wilson	(1996-10-09) 9 October 1996 (age 28)	16	2	Jerv	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
FW	Terry Sackor	(1993-04-01) 1 April 1993 (age 32)	9	1	Bea Mountain	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
FW	Emmanuel Ernest	(2000-12-30) 30 December 2000 (age 24)	2	0	Tirana	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024
FW	Emmanuel Seih	(2006-10-11) 11 October 2006 (age 18)	0	0	TS Galaxy	v.  Equatorial Guinea, 9 September 2024

Team Records

Players whose names are in bold are still playing for Liberia.

Most Games Played

These players have played the most matches for the Liberian national team.

Top Goal Scorers

These players have scored the most goals for the Liberian national team.

George Weah is Liberia's top scorer with 18 goals.

Tournament Records

FIFA World Cup

Liberia has tried many times to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, but they haven't made it to the main tournament yet.

FIFA World Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1962	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1966	Withdrew									Withdrew
1970 to 1978	Did not enter									Declined participation
1982	Did not qualify									2	0	1	1	0	1
1986										2	0	0	2	0	4
1990										8	3	3	2	4	3
1994	Withdrew during qualification									Withdrew during qualification
1998	Did not qualify									8	2	1	5	7	12
2002										10	6	1	3	11	8
2006										12	2	1	9	6	29
2010										6	0	3	3	4	12
2014										6	1	1	4	3	9
2018										4	1	1	2	4	6
2022										8	3	0	5	8	10
2026	To be determined									6	3	1	2	7	4
2030										To be determined
2034
Total	—	0/15	–	–	–	–	–	–		72	21	13	38	54	98

Africa Cup of Nations

Liberia has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations twice.

Africa Cup of Nations record
Appearances: 2
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1957	Not affiliated to CAF
1959
1962
1963	Did not enter
1965	Did not qualify
1968
1970	Did not enter
1972
1974
1976	Did not qualify
1978	Did not enter
1980
1982	Did not qualify
1984	Withdrew
1986	Did not qualify
1988
1990
1992	Withdrew
1994	Did not qualify
1996	Group stage	13th	2	1	0	1	2	3
1998	Did not qualify
2000
2002	Group stage	9th	3	0	2	1	3	4
2004	Did not qualify
2006
2008
2010
2012
2013
2015
2017
2019
2021
2023
2025
2027	To be determined
Total	Group stage	2/35	5	1	2	2	5	7

Team Achievements

The Lone Stars have won some regional honors.

Regional Cups

• WAFU Nations Cup
  • Third place (1): 2011
• West African Nations Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 1987
• CEDEAO Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 1987

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Liberia para niños