Libya national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Libya

Nickname(s)	فُرْسَانُ الْمُتَوَّسِط (Fursan al-Mutawasit) (The Mediterranean Knights)
Association	Libyan Football Federation
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	UNAF (North Africa)
Head coach	Nasser Al-Hadhirinew
Captain	Faisal Al Badri
Most caps	Ahmed Saad Osman (74)
Top scorer	Ali Al-Biski (35)
Home stadium	Tripoli Stadium
FIFA code	LBY
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	105 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest	36 (September 2012)
Lowest	187 (July 1997)
Elo ranking
Current	87 (3 March 2019)
Highest	46 (August 1985)
Lowest	124 (June 2003)
First international
Libya 5–2 Palestine  (Alexandria, Egypt; 3 August 1953)
Biggest win
Libya 21–0 Muscat and Oman (Baghdad, Iraq; 6 April 1966)
Biggest defeat
Egypt 10–2 Libya  (Alexandria, Egypt; 6 August 1953)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	3 (first in 1982)
Best result	Runner-up (1982)
Medal record Men's Football Africa Cup of Nations Silver 1982 Libya African Nations Championship Gold 2014 South Africa Mediterranean Games Bronze 2005 Almería Bronze 2009 Pescara

The Libya national football team represents Libya in international football matches for men. The team is controlled by the Libyan Football Federation. They are often called "The Mediterranean Knights."

Libya has never played in the FIFA World Cup. However, they have played in the Africa Cup of Nations three times: in 1982, 2006, and 2012. In 1982, Libya hosted the tournament and finished as the runner-up. The team also came in second place twice in the Arab Cup, in 1964 and 2012. They finished third in 1966.

Compared to other North African teams like Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia, Libya has had less success in international football. This is partly due to political situations in the country.

Since the 2010s, Libya's world ranking has improved. More Libyan players are now playing in football leagues outside of Libya. In the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, they won their first game in the tournament outside of Libya. Their FIFA world ranking reached its highest point, 36th, in September 2012. Libya then won a gold medal in the 2014 African Nations Championship. However, the Libyan Civil War caused problems for their domestic football league.

History of Libyan Football

Early Days

Libya's national football team started in 1918. Their first official international match was on August 3, 1953. They won 5–2 against Palestine in the first Arab Games.

The first manager of the team was Masoud Zantouny. The first foreign manager was James Bingham from England. The first player to score for Libya in an official international match was Mukhtar Ghonaay.

World Cup Journeys

Libya first tried to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 1970. They didn't succeed in their early attempts. In the 1980s, the team got stronger. However, political issues in Libya sometimes forced the team to withdraw from World Cup qualifiers, like in 1982 and 1990.

Libya came closest to qualifying for the World Cup in 1986. They were just one game away from reaching the finals in Mexico. After winning against Sudan and Ghana, they played Morocco. Morocco won the first game 3–0, and even though Libya won the second game 1–0, Morocco went through.

Libya did not enter the 1994 and 1998 World Cup qualifiers. They returned for the 2002 qualifiers, beating Mali. But in the group stage, they only managed two draws.

For the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Libya beat São Tome and Principe 9–0 over two games. This put them into the group stage. They were in a tough group with Egypt, Cameroon, and Ivory Coast. However, Libya got good results, beating Egypt 2–1 and drawing 0–0 with Cameroon and Ivory Coast. This helped them qualify for the 2006 African Cup of Nations.

In the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Libya won all their home matches in the second round. But they lost an away game to Gabon and didn't qualify for the next round because of goal difference.

For the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Libya reached the final group stage match without a loss. But they were defeated 1–0 by Cameroon and didn't move on.

In the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Libya beat Rwanda. However, they were eliminated after losing their first three group stage matches.

African Cup of Nations Highlights

Libya 1982: A Home Success

The biggest football tournament held in Libya was the 1982 African Cup of Nations. As hosts, Libya automatically qualified. They were in a group with Ghana, Cameroon, and Tunisia. The first match was a 2–2 draw against Ghana. Libya then beat Tunisia 2–0 and drew 0–0 with Cameroon, finishing first in their group.

In the semi-finals, Libya came back to beat Zambia 2–1. This set up a final match against Ghana. Ghana scored first, but Libya equalized. After extra time, the game went to a penalty shootout. Ghana won 7–6 in a very close finish.

Egypt 2006: Return to the Big Stage

Libya's second time at the African Cup of Nations was in 2006 African Cup of Nations in Egypt. They qualified after a 0–0 draw with Sudan.

Libya was in a group with Egypt (the hosts), Ivory Coast, and Morocco. Libya lost 3–0 to Egypt and 2–1 to Ivory Coast. A 0–0 draw against Morocco meant Libya finished last in their group.

After the Gaddafi Era

Libya played its first match after the end of the Gaddafi era on September 3, 2011. They wore a new uniform with the new Libyan flag.

This match was part of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification. Libya won 1–0 against Mozambique. The game had to be played in Cairo, Egypt, because of the ongoing Libyan Civil War. It was played without fans for safety reasons.

Before their final qualification game against Zambia, the coach said the team was playing "for a new government and a new country." The match ended in a 0–0 draw, which was enough for both teams to qualify.

2012 Africa Cup of Nations: First Away Win

In the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, Libya was in a group with co-hosts Equatorial Guinea, Zambia, and Senegal.

Libya lost their first game to Equatorial Guinea. They then drew 2–2 with Zambia. In their third game, two goals from Ihaab al Bousseffi led them to a 2–1 victory over Senegal. This was their first win in the Nations Cup in 30 years, and their first win on foreign soil. Even with four points, Libya was eliminated at the group stage.

2014 African Nations Championship Final: Champions!

Libya played Ghana in the 2014 CHAN final. The game ended 0–0 after extra time. It went to a penalty shootout, where Libya won 4–3. This made them champions of the tournament!

Coaching Changes

After 2016, the Libyan national team saw many changes in coaches. Jalal Damja took over but left when his contract ended. Omar Almaryami then led Libya to the semi-finals of the 2018 African Nations Championship.

Later, Adel Amrouche was appointed to help Libya qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He led them to a 0–0 draw against South Africa. However, Amrouche suddenly resigned before a match against Nigeria. He said the Libyan Football Federation was interfering with his work and that he wasn't being paid.

Omar Almaryami became caretaker coach again. The team lost to Nigeria twice. Then, former player Fawzi Al-Issawi took over, leading Libya to an 8–1 win over Seychelles. But Libya lost to South Africa and didn't qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

After this, Jalal Damja was briefly reappointed. Then Faouzi Benzarti became the new coach. Under Benzarti, Libya lost 1–4 to Tunisia but then won 2–1 against Tanzania. However, Benzarti also left. Ali El Margini took charge but lost all three of his games. He was replaced by Zoran Filipović, who led the team in the 2020 African Nations Championship. Libya was eliminated in the group stage. Filipovic was later fired. Javier Clemente was reappointed as head coach.

Team Kits

During the time of Muammar Gaddafi, the national team wore green kits, matching the flag of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. After the Libyan Civil War in 2011, Libya changed its flag to the older design used from 1951 to 1969.

This change also led to new team kits. The home kit now uses red, black, and green, with red being the main color for the jersey. The away kit has always been white. The team's badge was also updated after 2011.

Adidas is the company that makes the official team uniforms.

Home Stadium

Tripoli Stadium

The Tripoli Stadium is a large stadium in Tripoli. It can hold 80,000 fans.

It has been the main place where the Libyan national football team plays its home games, including World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifiers, and friendly matches.

The stadium also hosted many games during the 1982 African Cup of Nations in Libya. The 28 March Stadium in Benghazi has also been used by the national team sometimes.

FIFA lifted a ban on Libyan stadiums in 2013, allowing games to be played there again. However, the ban was put back in place in 2014 because of safety concerns. This meant the Libyan team had to play their home games in nearby countries like Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, or Tunisia. Tunisia was often chosen because it is close to Libya.

Libya played their first home game since 2013 at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi on March 25, 2021, against Tunisia.

Team Rivalries

Libya's main football rivalries are with other North African countries: Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, and especially Tunisia. Matches against these teams are always very exciting.

Libya beat Egypt 2–1 in a World Cup qualifier in 2004. Egypt has only beaten Libya twice on their home ground. The rivalry with Egypt was renewed at the 2007 Arab Games, where they drew 0–0. Egypt eventually won the gold medal.

Libya also has a rivalry with Morocco. Libya's last win against Morocco was in the 1986 World Cup qualifiers, which Libya won 1–0.

Recent Results and Upcoming Games

Here are the results of matches played in the last 12 months, and any future games that are planned.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2023

2026 World Cup qualification 17 November	Swaziland	0–1	Libya	Mbombela, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2		https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017597	Krawa’a  53'	Stadium: Mbombela Stadium Attendance: 200 Referee: Omar Artan (Somalia)

2026 World Cup qualification 21 November	Libya	1–1	Cameroon	Benina, Libya
18:00 UTC+2	Aleiyan  43'	https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400017599	Ntcham  34' (pen.)	Stadium: Benina Martyrs Stadium Attendance: 13,450 Referee: Adissa Abdul Raphiou Ligali (Benin)

2024

Friendly 2 January	Indonesia	0–4	Libya	Antalya, Turkey
15:00 UTC+3		https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/02/world/friendlies/indonesia/libya/4290266/	Krawa'a  25' Al Khouja  58' Al-Qulaib  89' Al-Qajdar  90+2'	Stadium: Mardan Sports Complex Referee: Bahattin Şimşek (Turkey)

Friendly 5 January	Libya	2–1	Indonesia	Antalya, Turkey
15:00 UTC+3	Al-Shuraimi  9' Krawa'a  20'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/05/world/friendlies/indonesia/libya/4290267/	Yakob  6'	Stadium: Mardan Sports Complex Referee: Kadir Sağlam (Turkey)

Friendly 12 January	Libya	3–1	Kuwait	Cairo, Egypt
18:00 UTC+2	Al Khouja  30', 20' A. Saleh  90'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/12/world/friendlies/kuwait/libya/4295945/	Zayid  78'	Stadium: Cairo International Stadium

Friendly 22 March	Libya	2–1	Burkina Faso	Casablanca, Morocco
22:00 UTC+1	Al Badri  35' Al Khouja  62'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/22/world/friendlies/burkina-faso/libya/4332298/	Bouda  37'	Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium Referee: Karim Sabry (Morocco)

Friendly 26 March	Togo	1–1	Libya	Casablanca, Morocco
22:00 UTC+1	Tchakei  39'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/26/world/friendlies/togo/libya/4334120/	Krawa'a  37'	Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium

2026 World Cup qualification 6 June	Libya	2–1	Mauritius	Benghazi, Libya
18:00 UTC+2	Al Badri  20' (pen.) Krawa'a  40'	https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018182	Bru  34'	Stadium: Martyrs of February Stadium Referee: Brighton Chimene (Zimbabwe)

2026 World Cup qualification 11 June	Cape Verde	1–0	Libya	Praia, Cape Verde
15:00 UTC−1	Diney  10'	https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/match-centre/match/520/288282/288289/400018180		Stadium: Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde Referee: Ibrahim Kalilou Traore (Ivory Coast)

Friendly 31 August	Libya	1–0	Botswana	Tripoli, Libya
18:00 UTC+2	Krawa'a  54' (pen.)	https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=500994399305884&id=100081859832254&ref=embed_post		Stadium: Tripoli Stadium

2025 AFCON qualification 4 September	Libya	1–1	Rwanda	Tripoli, Libya
18:00 UTC+2	Al-Dhawi  16'	https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2024/09/04/africa/africa-cup-of-nations-qualification/libya/rwanda/4406356/	Nshuti  47'	Stadium: Tripoli Stadium Referee: Imtehaz Heeralall (Mauritius)

2025 AFCON qualification 10 September	Benin	2–1	Libya	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
19:00 UTC±0	Mounié  50' Olaitan  62' (pen.)	https://www.cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nations/match-centre?competition=601&season=2024&match=2459884	Al Badri  9' (pen.)	Stadium: Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium Referee: Abdel Aziz Bouh (Mauritania)

2025 AFCON qualification 11 October	Nigeria	1–0	Libya	Uyo, Nigeria
17:00 UTC+1	Dele-Bashiru  86'	https://www.cafonline.com/caf-africa-cup-of-nations/match-centre?competition=601&season=2024&match=2459886		Stadium: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga (Malawi)

2025 AFCON qualification 15 October	Libya	0–3 Awarded	Nigeria	Benghazi, Libya
21:00 UTC+2				Stadium: Martyrs of February Stadium
Note: The Libya v Nigeria match, originally scheduled for 15 October 2024, was cancelled after the Nigerian team was allegedly left stranded at Al Abraq International Airport for more than 12 hours upon arrival, two days before the match. This led the Nigeria Football Federation to refuse to play and send their team back home. CAF later confirmed that the match would not take place and stated that a decision regarding its outcome would be made.

2025 AFCON qualification 14 November	Rwanda	0–1	Libya	Kigali, Rwanda
--:-- UTC+2			Saad Mohamed  84'	Stadium: Amahoro Stadium

2025 AFCON qualification 18 November	Libya	0–0	Benin	Tripoli, Libya
18:00 UTC+2				Stadium: Tripoli Stadium

Coaching History

Players

Current Squad

The following 28 players were called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification games against  Nigeria in October 2024.

Caps and goals correct as of 11 October 2024, after the match against  Nigeria.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Abdeljawad Hameida	(1994-01-20) 20 January 1994 (age 31)	1	0	Al Nasr Benghazi
12	1GK	Murad Al-Wuheeshi	(1997-02-28) 28 February 1997 (age 28)	16	0	Al-Ahly Benghazi
22	1GK	Mohamed Darebi	(2003-05-05) 5 May 2003 (age 22)	0	0	Abu Salim
	1GK	Mohamed Ayad	(2002-01-15) 15 January 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Al-Tahaddy
2	2DF	Mohammed Al-Shiteewi	(1993-07-29) 29 July 1993 (age 31)	1	0	Al-Hilal Benghazi
3	2DF	Subhi Al-Dhawi	(2004-06-08) 8 June 2004 (age 21)	8	1	Al-Ittihad Tripoli
4	2DF	Ali Yousef	(2001-07-09) 9 July 2001 (age 23)	15	0	Club Africain
5	2DF	Ahmed Saleh	(2001-01-01) 1 January 2001 (age 24)	5	0	Al Akhdar
11	2DF	Mehdi Al-Kout	(1999-08-29) 29 August 1999 (age 25)	7	0	Al Akhdar
21	2DF	Sanad Bin Ali	(2000-09-19) 19 September 2000 (age 24)	6	0	Al Nasr Benghazi
25	2DF	Majdi Erteiba	(1990-11-26) 26 November 1990 (age 34)	7	0	Al Akhdar
26	2DF	Mohammed Khaleel	(2001-12-13) 13 December 2001 (age 23)	0	0	Al-Ittihad Tripoli
	2DF	Ahmed El Trbi	(1992-06-06) 6 June 1992 (age 33)	59	0	Al-Ahli Tripoli
	2DF	Al Bahlul Bousahmin	(1993-12-09) 9 December 1993 (age 31)	0	0	Al-Ahly Benghazi
6	3MF	Suhaib Shafshuf	(1991-01-19) 19 January 1991 (age 34)	17	0	Al-Ahly Benghazi
8	3MF	Nouraldin Al-Qulaib	(2001-03-22) 22 March 2001 (age 24)	12	0	Al-Ahli Tripoli
10	3MF	Osama Belaid	(1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 26)	3	0	Al-Hilal Benghazi
13	3MF	Ahmed Saad	(1997-01-14) 14 January 1997 (age 28)	5	0	Al-Hilal Benghazi
14	3MF	Muhanad Madyen	(1994-03-25) 25 March 1994 (age 31)	16	0	Al-Madina
20	3MF	Osamah Al-Shuraimi	(2001-02-20) 20 February 2001 (age 24)	12	1	Asswehly
23	3MF	Bader Hassan	(1987-10-01) 1 October 1987 (age 37)	16	0	Al Nasr Benghazi
	3MF	Faisal Al Badri	(1990-06-04) 4 June 1990 (age 35)	71	14	Al-Hilal Benghazi
	3MF	Abdussalam Tubal	(1993-06-23) 23 June 1993 (age 32)	32	0	Al-Nasr Benghazi
	3MF	Omar Al Khouja	(2000-03-01) 1 March 2000 (age 25)	24	3	Asswehly
7	4FW	Abdullah Al-Meehoub	(1995-08-24) 24 August 1995 (age 29)	1	0	Al Nasr Benghazi
9	4FW	Ahmed Krawa'a	(1989-04-21) 21 April 1989 (age 36)	19	7	Al-Ahli Tripoli
15	4FW	Ahmed Elmsmari	2006 (age 18)	0	0	Barcelona
17	4FW	Fadel Ali Salama	(2002-02-21) 21 February 2002 (age 23)	14	2	Al-Ahly Benghazi
19	4FW	Ezzeddin El Maremi	(1998-08-22) 22 August 1998 (age 26)	1	0	Al-Hilal Benghazi
	4FW	Mouath Eissa	(1999-05-08) 8 May 1999 (age 26)	15	1	Al-Ittihad Tripoli
	4FW	Abdulmuyassir Boushibah	(2004-02-02) 2 February 2004 (age 21)	5	1	Al-Ittihad Misurata

Recent Call Ups

The following players have been called up to the Libya squad in the last 12 months.

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Aseel Al-Maqsabi	(2000-08-02) 2 August 2000 (age 24)	0	0	Al Nasr Benghazi	v.  Cape Verde; 11 June 2024
GK	Miftah Al-Taeb	(1996-01-31) 31 January 1996 (age 29)	0	0	Al Akhdar	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024
DF	Hamed El Thalba	(1995-01-16) 16 January 1995 (age 30)	6	0	Al-Hilal Benghazi	v.  Benin; 10 September 2024
DF	Hassan Abbas	(1996-08-07) 7 August 1996 (age 28)	0	0	Al Akhdar	v.  Rwanda; 4 September 2024
DF	Nassim Anan		0	0	Al-Madina	v.  Rwanda; 4 September 2024
DF	Talal Farhat	(1994-09-08) 8 September 1994 (age 30)	12	0	Al-Ittihad Tripoli	v.  Cape Verde; 11 June 2024
DF	Abdelaziz Ali	(1997-02-04) 4 February 1997 (age 28)	6	0	Al-Ittihad Tripoli	v.  Cape Verde; 11 June 2024
DF	Mohamed Al-Takbali	(1999-04-12) 12 April 1999 (age 26)	5	0	Asswehly	v.  Cape Verde; 11 June 2024
DF	Osama Al-Sareet	(2002-01-28) 28 January 2002 (age 23)	2	0	Al-Ahly Benghazi	v.  Cape Verde; 11 June 2024
DF	Ahmed Fakroun	(2000-05-03) 3 May 2000 (age 25)	2	0	Al-Ahly Benghazi	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024
DF	Salah Fakroun	(1999-02-08) 8 February 1999 (age 26)	12	0	Al Nasr Benghazi	v.  Kuwait; 12 January 2024 INJ
DF	Mahmoud Al-Awgaly	(1997-01-21) 21 January 1997 (age 28)	0	0	Al Ta'awon	v.  Kuwait; 12 January 2024
DF	Jaefar Adrees	(1997-02-21) 21 February 1997 (age 28)	2	0	Al-Hilal Benghazi	v.  Cameroon; 21 November 2023
DF	Tahir Bin Amir	(2000-04-16) 16 April 2000 (age 25)	6	0	Paradou	v.  Eswatini; 17 November 2023
MF	Ismael Tajouri-Shradi	(1994-03-28) 28 March 1994 (age 31)	7	0	Asswehly	v.  Benin; 10 September 2024
MF	Tarek B'Shara	(2000-01-22) 22 January 2000 (age 25)	5	0	Al-Ahli Tripoli	v.  Benin; 10 September 2024
MF	Salem Boushaala	(2004-01-22) 22 January 2004 (age 21)	1	0	Al-Ittihad Misurata	v.  Benin; 10 September 2024
MF	Faraj Ghaidan	(2001-07-15) 15 July 2001 (age 23)	0	0	Al Ta'awon	v.  Benin; 10 September 2024
MF	Moatasem Al-Musrati	(1996-04-06) 6 April 1996 (age 29)	42	2	Beşiktaş	v.  Rwanda; 4 September 2024 WD
MF	Abdulmunem Aleiyan	(1997-01-11) 11 January 1997 (age 28)	5	1	Al-Ahly Benghazi	v.  Cape Verde; 11 June 2024
MF	Hussein Taktak	(2002-04-20) 20 April 2002 (age 23)	3	1	Al-Ahly Benghazi	v.  Cape Verde; 11 June 2024
MF	Abouqassim Rajab	(1999-09-03) 3 September 1999 (age 25)	9	1	Al-Ittihad Misurata	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024
MF	Ziyad Al-Elwani	(2000-05-25) 25 May 2000 (age 25)	4	0	Al Nasr Benghazi	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024
MF	Younes Al-Hijazi	(2001-01-01) 1 January 2001 (age 24)	0	0	Al Akhdar	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024
MF	Daniel Elfadli	(1997-04-06) 6 April 1997 (age 28)	3	1	Hamburg SV	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024 WD
MF	Alaa Al Qajdar	(1998-02-15) 15 February 1998 (age 27)	1	0	Al-Ittihad Tripoli	v.  Kuwait; 12 January 2024
MF	Mohsen Al-Awjali	(1997-01-21) 21 January 1997 (age 28)	0	0	Al Ta'awon	v.  Kuwait; 12 January 2024
MF	Abdulsalam Dega	(2000-09-21) 21 September 2000 (age 24)	5	0	Al-Hilal Benghazi	v.  Cameroon; 21 November 2023
FW	Mohamed Bettamer	(1993-04-01) 1 April 1993 (age 32)	3	1	Asswehly	v.  Rwanda; 4 September 2024
FW	Taha Al-Shalawi	(1997-02-21) 21 February 1997 (age 28)	2	0	Al-Ahly Benghazi	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024
FW	Amjad Ben Abdi	(1999-03-07) 7 March 1999 (age 26)	0	0	Al Akhdar	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024
FW	Abdulsamie Diab	(2004-03-21) 21 March 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Al-Ahli Tripoli	v.  Kuwait; 12 January 2024
FW	Mohamed Adel		0	0	Al Murooj	v.  Kuwait; 12 January 2024
FW	Mohamed Elghadi	(1999-03-26) 26 March 1999 (age 26)	2	0	Abu Salim	v.  Cameroon; 21 November 2023
Records Players in bold are still active with Libya. Most Appearances Rank Player Caps Goals Career 1 Ahmed Saad Osman 74 20 2001–2013 2 Faisal Al Badri 73 14 2011–present 3 Muhammad Nashnoush 72 0 2011–2021 4 Motasem Sabbou 63 2 2013–2022 5 Younes Al Shibani 60 3 2003–2013 6 Ahmed El Trbi 59 0 2013–present 7 Ali Salama 58 2 2010–present 8 Mohamed Al Ghanodi 54 8 2013–2017 9 Muhammad Al Maghrabi 52 3 2006–2013 10 Tarik El Taib 50 11 1997–2011 Top Goalscorers Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career 1 Ali Al-Biski 35 44 0.8 1961–1970 2 Ahmed Saad Osman 20 74 0.27 2001–2013 3 Ahmed Al Masli 17 32 0.53 1998–2008 4 Faisal Al Badri 14 73 0.19 2011–present 5 Tarik El Taib 11 50 0.22 1997–2011 6 Nader Kara 9 32 0.28 2001–2009 7 Muaid Ellafi 8 38 0.21 2014–present Mohamed Al Ghanodi 8 54 0.15 2011–2017 9 Ahmed Krawa'a 7 19 0.37 2009–present Anis Saltou 7 28 0.25 2013–present Competitive Records FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup record Qualification record Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA 1930 to 1938 Part of Italy Part of Italy 1950 to 1962 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member 1966 Withdrew Withdrew 1970 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 3 5 1974 Did not enter Declined participation 1978 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 1 1982 Withdrew 2 1 1 0 2 1 1986 Did not qualify 6 2 3 1 7 3 1990 Withdrew Withdrew 1994 Disqualified Disqualified 1998 Did not enter Declined participation 2002 Did not qualify 10 1 2 7 11 22 2006 12 5 3 4 17 10 2010 6 4 0 2 7 4 2014 6 2 3 1 5 3 2018 8 3 1 4 8 11 2022 6 2 1 3 4 7 2026 Qualification in progress 4 2 1 1 4 3 2030 To be determined To be determined 2034 Total 0/15 63 22 16 25 67 72 Africa Cup of Nations Main article: Libya at the Africa Cup of Nations Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA 1957 Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF 1959 1962 1963 1965 1968 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 4 5 1970 Did not enter Did not enter 1972 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 3 1974 Withdrew Withdrew 1976 Did not enter Did not enter 1978 1980 1982 Runners-up 2nd 5 2 3 0 7 4 Qualified as hosts 1984 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 2 1986 4 2 0 2 5 4 1988 Withdrew Withdrew 1990 1992 Did not enter Did not enter 1994 1996 1998 2000 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 6 2002 8 3 0 5 8 14 2004 6 3 1 2 12 8 2006 Group stage 14th 3 0 1 2 1 5 12 5 3 4 17 10 2008 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 7 6 2010 6 4 0 2 7 4 2012 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 4 4 6 3 3 0 6 1 2013 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 3 2015 2 0 1 1 0 3 2017 6 2 1 3 8 6 2019 6 2 1 3 16 11 2021 6 1 0 5 7 15 2023 6 1 1 4 2 8 2025 6 1 2 3 3 7 2027 To be determined To be determined 2029 Total Runners-up 3/34 11 3 5 3 12 13 90 30 16 47 106 116 Olympic Games Olympic Games record Appearances: 0 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 1896 – 1948 Did not exist 1952 Did not enter 1956 1960 1964 1968 Did not qualify 1972 Did not enter 1976 Did not qualify 1980 Withdrew during qualification 1984 Did not qualify 1988 Did not enter 1992 1996 2000 2004 Did not qualify 2008 2012 2016 Did not enter 2020 Did not qualify 2024 Total 0/28 Football at the Summer Olympics has been an under-23 tournament since the 1992 edition. All-Africa Games All-Africa Games record Appearances: 1 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 1965 Did not enter 1973 1978 Group stage 8th 3 1 0 2 3 4 1987 Did not enter 1991 1995 1999 2003 Did not qualify 2007 2011 Did not enter 2015 2019 To be determined 2023 Total Group stage 1/11 3 1 0 2 3 4 Prior to the Cairo 1991 campaign, the Football at the All-Africa Games was open to full senior national teams. Libya was disqualified from the tournament due to violence with the Egyptian team during the match in the group stage. African Nations Championship African Nations Championship record Appearances: 4 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 2009 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 1 3 2011 Did not qualify 2014 Champions 1st 6 1 5 0 6 4 2016 Did not qualify 2018 Fourth place 4th 6 2 2 2 7 6 2020 Group stage 13th 3 0 2 1 1 2 2022 9th 3 1 0 2 1 2 2024 Qualified automatically Total 1 title 5/7 21 4 11 6 16 17 Mediterranean Games Mediterranean Games record Appearances: 9 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 1951 Did not enter 1955 1959 1963 1967 Group stage 8th 3 0 1 2 1 5 1971 Did not enter 1975 Group stage 7th 4 1 0 3 4 8 1979 Did not enter 1983 Group stage 9th 2 0 0 2 2 5 1987 Did not enter 1991 1993 1997 Group stage 10th 3 0 2 1 3 4 2001 7th 2 0 1 1 1 2 2005 Bronze medalists 3rd 5 1 2 2 3 10 2009 4 0 3 1 0 1 2013 Fourth place 4th 5 1 1 3 6 12 2018 Group stage 9th 2 0 0 2 1 8 2022 Did not enter Total Bronze medalists 9/18 30 3 10 17 21 55 Prior to the Athens 1991 campaign, the Football at the Mediterranean Games was open to full senior national teams. FIFA Arab Cup FIFA Arab Cup record Appearances: 4 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 1963 Did not enter 1964 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 2 0 9 5 1966 Third place 3rd 5 2 2 1 20 4 1985 Did not enter 1988 1992 1998 Group stage 11th 4 0 0 2 2 4 2002 Withdrew 2012 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 2 0 11 8 2021 Did not qualify Total Runners-up 4/9 18 7 6 3 42 21 Arab Games Arab Games record Appearances: 9 Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA 1953 Bronze medalists 3rd 3 2 0 1 10 14 1957 Group stage 8th 3 0 0 3 5 12 1961 Bronze medalists 3rd 5 2 1 2 13 13 1965 6 4 0 2 44 18 1976 Did not enter 1985 Group stage 5th 2 1 0 1 2 2 1992 Did not enter 1997 Group stage 6th 3 0 2 1 4 5 1999 Bronze medalists 3rd 6 3 2 1 11 6 2004 No tournament 2007 Silver medalists 2nd 4 3 1 0 7 1 2011 Group stage 7th 3 0 2 1 1 2 Total Silver medalists 9/11 35 15 8 12 97 73 Palestine Cup of Nations Main article: Palestine Cup of Nations Honours and Awards Continental Awards Africa Cup of Nations Runners-up (1): 1982 African Nations Championship Champions (1): 2014 Regional Awards Arab Cup Runners-up (2): 1964, 2012 Third place (1): 1966 Friendly Tournament Wins LG Cup Champions (1): 2004 See Also In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Libia para niños 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF) (The closest Libya came to qualifying for the World Cup). Images for kids Tripoli Stadium, a key venue for Libyan football.