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 Marinica
Captain	Oscar Dorley
Most caps	Joe Nagbe (77)
Top scorer	George Weah (18)
Home stadium	SKD Stadium
FIFA code	LBR
First colors Second 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, nicknamed the Lone Stars, represents Liberia in men's international football and is controlled by the Liberia Football Association. Although the nation produced the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year, George Weah, its football team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup and has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations just twice—in 1996 and 2002. It is a member of both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

History

African Cup of Nations

In 1965 Liberia played in first campagin 1965 qualification qualifying campaign, losting its first match 0–1 against Ivory Coast. They also won 3–2 against DR Congo however lost both returning fixtures and were eliminated in the first round. In 1967 Liberia played in 1968 qualification qualifying campaign, drawing its first match 2–2 against Guinea. They also drew against Senegal however lost both returning fixtures and were eliminated in the first round. Liberia returned to qualifying in 1976 but lost in the preliminary round to Togo, falling to defeat in both fixtures. After another absence, Liberia again joined AFCON qualifying in 1982 in the preliminary rounds but failed to progress after two draws against Gambia, losing on the away goals rule.

Liberia withdrew from qualifying for the 1984 African Cup of Nations, but the following tournament they managed to secure their first win during qualifying, a 3–1 first-leg victory over Mauritania. They failed to capitalize on this advantage, losing 3–0 in the second leg. Liberia then faced Sierra Leone and Mali during the 1988 qualification and 1990 qualification respectively, but again failed to progress. In 1992, Liberia withdrew from qualifying before playing a match (possibly due to the ongoing First Liberian Civil War), and in 1994, Liberia was put into a group with two participants that withdrew during qualifying (Tanzania and Burkina Faso) however they failed to take advantage of this and finished with zero points, having lost to Ghana twice.

In the 1996 African Cup of Nations qualification, Liberia managed to register three wins (against Togo, Tunisia and Mauritania) and four draws, which saw them finish the group in second place and qualify for their first African Cup of Nations tournament. Following the withdrawal of Nigeria, Liberia was placed in a group with Gabon and Zaire. Liberia opened the tournament with a 2–1 victory over Gabon with goals from Kelvin Sebwe and Mass Sarr Jr. but lost 2–0 to Zaire. This meant that Liberia finished bottom of the group on goal difference and failed to progress to the knock-out stages.

Liberia missed out on returning to the African Cup of Nations in 1998 as they finished one point off of qualification. In 2000, they defeated Niger in the preliminary rounds, but again failed to advance to the main tournament, this time finishing behind Algeria on goal difference.

In 2002 African Cup of Nations qualification, Liberia beat Cape Verde in the preliminary rounds, then they finished top of their group to qualify for the main tournament for the second time in their history. In the 2002 African Cup of Nations, Liberia drew their first game 1–1 with Mali (goal scored by George Weah) and drew their second game 2–2 against Algeria (goals from Prince Daye and Kelvin Sebwe), but in their final group game, needing a win against Nigeria, they lost 1–0.

FIFA World Cup

Liberia first entered the qualifying process for the FIFA World Cup in 1966, however, they withdrew in protest against the fact that too few places had been reserved for Africa and Asia, along with all fourteen other African nations that had initially entered qualifying.

Liberia next entered qualifying in 1982 against Guinea after receiving a bye in the first round. They lost 1–0 over the two legs and were eliminated. In 1986, Liberia was again eliminated without having scored a goal, falling 4–0 to Nigeria. In 1990, Liberia won its first FIFA qualifying match defeating Ghana to progress to the second round. Despite finishing second in their group, Liberia failed to advance to the final qualification round, ending two points behind group winners Egypt.

In 1998, Liberia beat Gambia in the first qualification round, but finished twelve points adrift of Tunisia in their group. In 2002, Liberia had their strongest qualifying campaign, however, a loss against Ghana in their penultimate group game gave Nigeria the opportunity to overtake them and secure the only qualification spot.

Team image

Kit supplier

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–present

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2023

2023 AFCON qualification 28 March	Liberia	1–2	South Africa	Monrovia, Liberia
18:00 UTC±0	Jebor  35'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/27/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/liberia/south-africa/3783089/	Lepasa  19' Mayambela  53'	Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Referee: Daniel Nii Laryea (Ghana)

2023 AFCON qualification June	Liberia	Cancelled	Zimbabwe	Liberia
--:-- UTC±0		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/06/00/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/liberia/zimbabwe/3783091/

Friendly 12 September	Ghana	3–1	Liberia	Accra, Ghana
	Nuamah  52' Kudus  59' J. Ayew  82'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/12/world/friendlies/ghana/liberia/4239383/	Teah  90+1'	Stadium: Accra Sports Stadium Referee: Kouassi Attiogbe (Togo)

Friendly 14 October	Liberia	2–3	Libya	Khouribga, Morocco
19:30 UTC+1	Kamara  45' Dorley  64'	https://www.flashscore.com/match/lz8vlq4R/#/match-summary	Eisa  3' (pen.) Bosheba  48' Salama  66'	Stadium: Phosphate Stadium Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)

2023 AFCON qualification 17 October	Morocco	3–0	Liberia	Agadir, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1	Harit  45+2' Kaabi  59 (pen.)' Adli  89'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2023/09/09/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/morocco/liberia/3783093/		Stadium: Adrar Stadium Referee: Ahmad Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius)
Note: Match postponed from 9 September due to 2023 Marrakesh-Safi earthquake.

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification 17 November	Liberia	0–1	Malawi	Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0		https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017622	Mphasi  78'	Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex Referee: Antoine Effa (Cameroon)

2024

AFCON 2025 qualification 20 March	Djibouti	0–2	Liberia	Marrakech, Morocco
16:00 UTC±0			Sangare  23' (pen.) Dorley  35'	Stadium: Stade de Marrakech

AFCON 2025 qualification 26 March	Liberia	0–0 (2–0 agg.)	Djibouti	Paynesville, Liberia
16:00 UTC±0				Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Note: Liberia won 2–0 on aggregate.

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Head coach	Mario Marinica
Assistant coach	Clwyd Jones
Assistant coach	Ronnie Moroka
Goalkeeping coach	Chris Wesseh
Fitness coach	Chikondi Mandalasi
Team manager	Mauritius Konneh
Assistant coach	Kelvin Sebwe

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Malawi and Equatorial Guinea on 17 and 20 November 2023.

Caps and goals correct as of 17 October 2023, after the match against Morocco.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Boison Wynney	(1996-12-27) 27 December 1996 (age 27)	6	0	Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț
16	1GK	Emmanuel Deanneh	(1995-06-20) 20 June 1995 (age 28)	0	0	Bea Mountain
23	1GK	Ashley Williams	(2000-10-30) 30 October 2000 (age 23)	17	0	LISCR
3	2DF	Jamal Arago	(1993-08-28) 28 August 1993 (age 30)	8	0	Al-Ahly
11	2DF	Mark Pabai	(2000-09-30) 30 September 2000 (age 23)	8	0	Koper
13	2DF	Joel Johnson	(1992-09-20) 20 September 1992 (age 31)	8	0	Charlotte Independence
17	2DF	Kemoh Kamara	(1995-07-03) 3 July 1995 (age 28)	14	0	Bea Mountain
20	2DF	Mohammed Sangare	(1998-12-28) 28 December 1998 (age 25)	12	2	Livingston
24	2DF	Sampson Dweh	(2001-10-10) 10 October 2001 (age 22)	19	0	Viktoria Plzeň
2	3MF	Tonia Tisdell	(1992-01-02) 2 January 1992 (age 32)	16	1	Telecom Egypt
4	3MF	Nohan Kenneh	(2003-01-10) 10 January 2003 (age 21)	4	0	Shrewsbury Town
6	3MF	Saah Moses Jr.	(2007-07-10) 10 July 2007 (age 16)	1	0	Discoveries SA
7	3MF	Mohammed Kamara	(1997-10-31) 31 October 1997 (age 26)	2	0	Hapoel Haifa
8	3MF	Marcus Macauley	(1991-10-27) 27 October 1991 (age 32)	25	5	PDRM
12	3MF	Albert Korvah	(1999-02-02) 2 February 1999 (age 25)	2	0	Rivers United
15	3MF	Brem Soumaoro	(1996-08-08) 8 August 1996 (age 27)	11	0	York United FC
18	3MF	Divine Teah	(2006-04-19) 19 April 2006 (age 18)	9	2	Nimba
19	3MF	Oscar Dorley (captain)	(1998-07-19) 19 July 1998 (age 25)	33	1	Slavia Prague
22	3MF	Edward Ledlum	(1999-06-15) 15 June 1999 (age 24)	8	0	Bea Mountain
25	3MF	Daniel Toe	(2000-07-15) 15 July 2000 (age 23)	0	0	LISCR
14	3MF	Prince Saydee	(1996-02-20) 20 February 1996 (age 28)	3	0	Hartford Athletic
9	4FW	Kpah Sherman	(1992-02-03) 3 February 1992 (age 32)	20	3	Pahang
10	4FW	William Jebor	(1991-11-10) 10 November 1991 (age 32)	24	13	Unattached
21	4FW	Abu Kamara	(1997-04-01) 1 April 1997 (age 27)	8	0	Kuching City
5	4FW	Sylvanus Nimely	(1998-09-04) 4 September 1998 (age 25)	12	0	Surkhon

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Tommy Songo	(1995-04-20) 20 April 1995 (age 28)	22	0	LISCR	v.  South Africa, 28 March 2023
GK	Derrick Julu	(2002-05-13) 13 May 2002 (age 21)	1	0	Watanga	v.  South Africa, 28 March 2023
DF	Seth Hellberg	(1995-08-19) 19 August 1995 (age 28)	11	0	Brage	v.  Morocco, 17 October 2023
DF	Jeremy Saygbe	(2001-06-01) 1 June 2001 (age 22)	13	0	CA Marbella	v.  Ghana, 12 September 2023
DF	Prince Balde	(1998-03-23) 23 March 1998 (age 26)	14	0	Al-Diwaniya	v.  South Africa, 28 March 2023
DF	Darius Kah	(1997-01-25) 25 January 1997 (age 27)	0	0	LISCR	v.  South Africa, 28 March 2023
MF	Allen Njie	(1999-07-26) 26 July 1999 (age 24)	21	0	Aarau	v.  South Africa, 28 March 2023
MF	Justin Salmon	(1999-01-25) 25 January 1999 (age 25)	7	0	Degerfors	v.  South Africa, 28 March 2023
MF	Joachim Adukor	(1993-05-02) 2 May 1993 (age 30)	5	0	Free agent	v.  South Africa, 28 March 2023
MF	Morris Konneh	(2003-11-11) 11 November 2003 (age 20)	0	0	Heaven Eleven	v.  South Africa, 28 March 2023
FW	Ketu Jerbo	(1998-06-20) 20 June 1998 (age 25)	5	0	Bea Mountain	v.  Ghana, 12 September 2023
FW	Peter Wilson	(1996-10-09) 9 October 1996 (age 27)	12	2	Jerv	v.  South Africa, 28 March 2023
FW	Farsedu Logan	(1997-11-10) 10 November 1997 (age 26)	1	0	Watanga	v.  South Africa, 28 March 2023

Records

Players in bold are still active with Liberia.

Most appearances

Top goalscorers

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

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup										Qualification
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	F	A		Pld	W	D	L	F	A
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 qualifying									2	0	1	1	2	4
1998	Did not qualify									8	2	1	5	7	12
2002										10	6	1	3	11	2
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									2	0	0	2	0	2
2030										To be determined
2034
Total	—	0/15	–	–	–	–	–	–		70	18	13	39	49	94

Africa Cup of Nations

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	To be determined
2027
Total	Group stage	2/36	5	1	2	2	5	7

Honours

West African Nations Cup :

• • 2 Runners-up:1987
• CEDEAO Cup
  • 2 Runners-up: 1987, 1990
  • Fourth Place: 1990

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Liberia para niños