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 (Arabic: منتخب لِيْبيَا لِكُرَّةُ الْقَدَم) represents Libya in men's international association football and it is controlled by the Libyan Football Federation. The team has never qualified for FIFA World Cup but has qualified for editions of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1982, 2006, and 2012. In 1982, the team was both the host and runner-up. In the Arab Cup, Libya finished second in 1964 and 2012, and third in 1966. The team is affiliated with both FIFA and Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Due to political circumstances, Libya has typically been less successful in international competition compared to other North African teams like Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia. Libya has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup and its participation in AFCON is sporadic, having only qualified for three AFCON editions.

Since the 2010s, Libya's global ranking has improved due to the increasing number of Libyan players playing in foreign leagues. In the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, the team recorded their first-ever win in the tournament outside Libya. Their FIFA world ranking rose to a high of 36 in September 2012; Libya then won a gold medal in the 2014 African Nations Championship. However, the Libyan Civil War caused the stoppage of the Libyan Premier League and severely disrupted domestic affairs. Libya was eliminated in the first round of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification by Rwanda and failed to qualify for the 2016 African Nations Championship as the defending champions.

History

Early history

Libya's national team was first initiated in 1918, but did not play an official international until 3 August 1953, when they defeated Palestine 5–2 in the first Arab Games in 1953. The team's first manager was Masoud Zantouny, and the first foreign manager was Englishman James Bingham, who took charge of the Libyan national team for the 1961 Arab Games. The first player ever to score for the Libyan national team in an official international was Mukhtar Ghonaay.

The first penalty ever scored by a member of the national team was in the 1953 Arab Games group stage; in the match against Egypt, Ali Zantouny scored in the 3–2 defeat. The national team's first participation in the Arab Cup was in 1964, the second edition of the competition, held in Kuwait.

The first ever player to score for the Libyan national team in a non-official international was Mustapha Makki in a warm-up friendly played prior to the 1953 Arab Games tournament, played against Palestine in Alexandria in 1952. The national team's first attempt to qualify for an Olympic football tournament was in 1967, where they played their first qualification match against Niger in an attempt to qualify for the 1968 Olympic football tournament in Mexico City.

World Cups

Libya first entered the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 1970. Their early attempts failed, but during the 1980s the national side strengthened. The country's geopolitical position, however, affected the football team, who had to withdraw from qualifying for the 1982 and 1990 World Cups.

Libya came closest to qualifying for the World Cup in 1986. They came to within a game of reaching the finals in Mexico. After winning their match against Sudan in their first game, the Libyans beat Ghana in the next round before taking on Morocco for a place at the finals. Morocco won the first game 3–0 and went through, even though Libya won the return leg 1–0.

After not entering the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup competition, Libya came back in the qualifying competition for Korea/Japan. The Libyans advanced to the second round at the expense of Mali, who were beaten 4–3 on aggregate. In the group stage, Libya managed only two draws in eight games.

In the qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, a 9–0 two-legged victory against São Tome and Principe put the Libyans through to the group stage. Libyan player Al-Saadi Gaddafi was banned from the team after failing drug test.

A difficult group followed containing Egypt, Cameroon and Ivory Coast, the eventual group winners and qualifiers for the World Cup. However, The Knights were able to secure good results against these sides, as they beat Egypt 2–1 in Tripoli, and held Cameroon and Ivory Coast to 0–0 draws, helping them to a 4th-place finish and a place at the 2006 African Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.

During the qualifying campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Libya defeated each side in the second round during home matches (they also defeated Lesotho away). However they were defeated by Gabon in an away match, and failed to qualify to the next round on goal difference.

In the qualifying campaign for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Libya reached the final match in the group stage without a defeat. They were defeated 1–0 by Cameroon and failed to advance to the final round.

In the qualifying campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Libya defeated Rwanda 4–1 on aggregate in the second round but were eliminated after losing the first three matches in the group stages.

African Cup Of Nations

Libya 1982

The biggest football tournament to be held in Libya was the 1982 African Cup of Nations. Libya qualified automatically as hosts and were put in a group alongside Ghana, Cameroon and Tunisia. The opening match of the tournament saw the hosts take on Ghana in Tripoli in a 2–2 draw. A 2–0 win over Tunisia and a goalless draw against Cameroon saw Libya topping the group.

In the semi-finals, Libya came from behind to beat Zambia 2–1 and set up another match with Ghana, this time in the final on 19 March. Ghana scored first in the 35th minute, but Libya equalised in the 70th. This was followed by a tense period of extra time in which no goals were scored. In a long penalty shootout, Ghana came out triumphant 7–6.

Egypt 2006

Libya's second African Cup of Nations saw a return to the higher levels of the international footballing scene at the 2006 African Cup of Nations finals in Egypt. They qualified for the competition after a goalless draw with Sudan in their ninth qualifying match.

Libya were drawn in Group A with Egypt (the hosts and eventual winners), 2006 World Cup-qualifiers Ivory Coast and Morocco. Libya lost 3–0 to Egypt in Cairo, then lost 2–1 to Ivory Coast. A goalless draw against Morocco saw Libya finish bottom of the group.

Post-Gaddafi era

Libya played its first match after the Battle of Tripoli (and thus the end of the Gaddafi era in Libya) on 3 September 2011, with a new uniform sporting the National Transitional Council flag of Libya.

The match, part of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, resulted in a 1–0 victory over Mozambique. The historic goal was scored by Rabee'a al Laafi. Like Libya's previous home match, a 3–0 defeat of Comoros in qualifying, played in Stade 26 mars in Bamako, Mali, a relocation was necessary due to the ongoing Libyan Civil War, and so the Petro Sport Stadium in Cairo, Egypt became the venue. The match was played behind closed doors for security reasons.

Prior to the team's final game in the qualification campaign, against Zambia, coach Marcos Paquetá claimed that the team was now "not only playing for football success but for a new government and a new country". The match was played on 8 October 2011, and resulted in a 0–0 draw which was good enough for both teams to qualify. Paquetá and his team danced and celebrated afterwards.

In November 2011 the team travelled to the United Arab Emirates to play a friendly match against Belarus organized by FIFA and broadcast Dubai Sports. The team members, along with the Libyan national chess team, also attended an event at the Libyan Consulate in Dubai organized to honour their contribution to their country in the field of sports.

On 7 June 2013, Libya met DR Congo in its first match on home ground in two years.

2012 Africa Cup of Nations

Having qualified, Libya were drawn into Group A with co-hosts Equatorial Guinea, qualification rivals Zambia and pre-tournament favourites Senegal.

The Mediterranean Knights' first game, the tournament's opening match, saw them lose to an 87th-minute winner from ex-Real Madrid winger Javier Ángel Balboa. Libya went on to secure a 2–2 draw with Zambia in terrible conditions at the Estadio de Bata, before two goals from Ihaab al Bousseffi guided them to a 2–1 victory over Senegal, their first Nations Cup win in 30 years and a first on foreign soil. After four points from three games Libya was eliminated at the group stage.

2014 African Nations Championship Final

Libya played Ghana in the 2014 CHAN final. Extra time was given (two 15 minutes), however both teams failed to score. It was taken to penalty shootouts, where the Libyan team scored the first three penalties, missed two others and scored the final sixth and their Ghanaian opponents missed the first two, scored the next three then missed the final sixth penalty (resulting in 3 penalties scored). The match finished (0–0) and was won by the Mediterranean Knights by penalties (4–3).

Coaching crisis

After Javier Clemente's dismissal in 2016, Jalal Damja took over the national team. He left in 2017 after his contract expired. Omar Almaryami was later appointed as coach and led Libya to the semi-finals of the 2018 African Nations Championship. After Libya's elimination by Morocco, Adel Amrouche was appointed in May 2018. His goal was to help Libya qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He led Libya to a 0–0 draw against South Africa away from home. However, days before Libya's match against Nigeria, Amrouche suddenly left the team's camp and later resigned. During an interview with Reuters, Amrouche said that the reason for his resignation was that the Libyan Football Federation was repeatedly interfering with his work as a coach. He also cited unpaid wages as a reason for his resignation.

Omar Almaryami was again appointed as a caretaker coach of Libya. The team lost twice to Nigeria (4–0 away, 3–2 home) and Almaryami was replaced by former striker Fawzi Al-Issawi, who led Libya to an 8–1 away win over Seychelles. However, Libya later lost to South Africa 2–1, and Libya failed to qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. It was noted during the match that al-Issawi's assistant, Abu Bakr Bani was the one who made substitutions and instructed players, leaving many to wonder who was the actual coach.

After the match against South Africa, Jalal Damja was reappointed as the head coach for temporary matches in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification before Faouzi Benzarti was named as new coach of Libya. Under Benzarti, Libya opened their campaign with a disastrous 1–4 loss to Tunisia, the home of Benzarti, before managed to salvage an important 2–1 win over Tanzania to gain hope for qualifying to an AFCON tournament since 2012. Yet, managerial crisis once again erupted when Benzarti left the team and Libya had to appoint a local coach, Ali El Margini, in charge against Equatorial Guinea, a team that had not won a single game in the qualification. Internal instability proved to be a rupture, as Libya lost two consecutive games against the Central African opponent and fell out of top two position. El Margini left after losing all three of his games in charge. He was replaced by Zoran Filipović, who led a team of domestic players into the 2020 African Nations Championship. Libya were eliminated in the group stage after two draws and a loss in three games. Defeats in their final two AFCON qualifiers saw Filipovic sacked in May 2021. Javier Clemente was reappointed as head coach shortly afterwards.

Kits

In the Gaddafi era the National team used to play its home matches wearing the green coloured kit representing the Flag of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. However, after the Libyan Civil War in 2011, Libya changed its flag to the new one which was used from 1951 to 1969 back when Libya was a Kingdom. This change resulted in changing the national team's kit in order to represent the new flag. The team played its home matches with colours: Red, Black and Green (as in the flag). Red dominates the strip and is the sole jersey colour. The away colours were white in both eras. Since 2011, the LFF emblem and the national team's badge was changed into the current design. The previous badge was two balls in front of green coloured Libya's map which is also in front of a sun.

During late 2011 and early 2012 the Libyan team wore white jerseys temporarily in their qualification games and 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. However, in mid-2012 the team began to use red jerseys. In 2014, Libya replaced the green socks worn by the players with black ones.

Adidas is the supplier of the official team strip.

Home stadium

Tripoli Stadium

The Tripoli Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Tripoli, Libya. It can hold 80,000 spectators.

It was the main venue used by the Libyan national football team in its FIFA World Cup and African Nations Cup qualifying matches as well as friendlies and other international games.

The stadium hosted many games of the 1982 African Cup of Nations held in Libya along with the 28 March Stadium in Benghazi.

The 28 March Stadium in Benghazi was also used by the national team sometimes.

FIFA lifted the ban on Libyan stadiums in 2013, during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification. However, it was re-imposed in 2014 due to increased security concerns. The Libyan national team was forced to host games in neighboring countries such as Algeria, Morocco, Egypt or Tunisia (Tunisia the most popular choice due to its close distance to Libya).

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

Rivalries

Libya's only real rivalries are with its fellow North African footballing nations, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and, mainly, Tunisia. Matches between Libya and any one of these opponents are highly charged encounters. Libya defeated Egypt 2–1 in a World Cup qualifier on 8 October 2004, the Pharaohs only managed to beat the Libyans on their own turf twice. The rivalry was rekindled at the 2007 Arab Games, where the teams drew 0–0; Egypt eventually claimed the gold medal on goal difference from the Libyans.

Libya also has a rivalry with Morocco. Libya's last win against Morocco was during the 1986 World Cup qualifiers, which Libya won 1–0. A friendly was played between both countries on the 11th of October 2019 in which they tied. Matches between Libya and Tunisia are also very tense, the last time they played was a 5–2 win from the latter in the African Cup of Nations qualification group stage round.

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

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 30)	1	0	Al Nasr Benghazi
12	1GK	Murad Al-Wuheeshi	(1997-02-28) 28 February 1997 (age 27)	16	0	Al-Ahly Benghazi
22	1GK	Mohamed Darebi	(2003-05-05) 5 May 2003 (age 21)	0	0	Abu Salim
	1GK	Mohamed Ayad	(2002-01-15) 15 January 2002 (age 22)	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 20)	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 23)	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 32)	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 33)	17	0	Al-Ahly Benghazi
8	3MF	Nouraldin Al-Qulaib	(2001-03-22) 22 March 2001 (age 23)	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 27)	5	0	Al-Hilal Benghazi
14	3MF	Muhanad Madyen	(1994-03-25) 25 March 1994 (age 30)	16	0	Al-Madina
20	3MF	Osamah Al-Shuraimi	(2001-02-20) 20 February 2001 (age 23)	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 34)	71	14	Al-Hilal Benghazi
	3MF	Abdussalam Tubal	(1993-06-23) 23 June 1993 (age 31)	32	0	Al-Nasr Benghazi
	3MF	Omar Al Khouja	(2000-03-01) 1 March 2000 (age 24)	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 35)	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 22)	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 25)	15	1	Al-Ittihad Tripoli
	4FW	Abdulmuyassir Boushibah	(2004-02-02) 2 February 2004 (age 20)	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 28)	0	0	Al Akhdar	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024
DF	Hamed El Thalba	(1995-01-16) 16 January 1995 (age 29)	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 27)	6	0	Al-Ittihad Tripoli	v.  Cape Verde; 11 June 2024
DF	Mohamed Al-Takbali	(1999-04-12) 12 April 1999 (age 25)	5	0	Asswehly	v.  Cape Verde; 11 June 2024
DF	Osama Al-Sareet	(2002-01-28) 28 January 2002 (age 22)	2	0	Al-Ahly Benghazi	v.  Cape Verde; 11 June 2024
DF	Ahmed Fakroun	(2000-05-03) 3 May 2000 (age 24)	2	0	Al-Ahly Benghazi	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024
DF	Salah Fakroun	(1999-02-08) 8 February 1999 (age 25)	12	0	Al Nasr Benghazi	v.  Kuwait; 12 January 2024 INJ
DF	Mahmoud Al-Awgaly	(1997-01-21) 21 January 1997 (age 27)	0	0	Al Ta'awon	v.  Kuwait; 12 January 2024
DF	Jaefar Adrees	(1997-02-21) 21 February 1997 (age 27)	2	0	Al-Hilal Benghazi	v.  Cameroon; 21 November 2023
DF	Tahir Bin Amir	(2000-04-16) 16 April 2000 (age 24)	6	0	Paradou	v.  Eswatini; 17 November 2023
MF	Ismael Tajouri-Shradi	(1994-03-28) 28 March 1994 (age 30)	7	0	Asswehly	v.  Benin; 10 September 2024
MF	Tarek B'Shara	(2000-01-22) 22 January 2000 (age 24)	5	0	Al-Ahli Tripoli	v.  Benin; 10 September 2024
MF	Salem Boushaala	(2004-01-22) 22 January 2004 (age 20)	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 28)	42	2	Beşiktaş	v.  Rwanda; 4 September 2024 WD
MF	Abdulmunem Aleiyan	(1997-01-11) 11 January 1997 (age 27)	5	1	Al-Ahly Benghazi	v.  Cape Verde; 11 June 2024
MF	Hussein Taktak	(2002-04-20) 20 April 2002 (age 22)	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 24)	4	0	Al Nasr Benghazi	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024
MF	Younes Al-Hijazi	(2001-01-01) 1 January 2001 (age 23)	0	0	Al Akhdar	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024
MF	Daniel Elfadli	(1997-04-06) 6 April 1997 (age 27)	3	1	Hamburg SV	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024 WD
MF	Alaa Al Qajdar	(1998-02-15) 15 February 1998 (age 26)	1	0	Al-Ittihad Tripoli	v.  Kuwait; 12 January 2024
MF	Mohsen Al-Awjali	(1997-01-21) 21 January 1997 (age 27)	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 31)	3	1	Asswehly	v.  Rwanda; 4 September 2024
FW	Taha Al-Shalawi	(1997-02-21) 21 February 1997 (age 27)	2	0	Al-Ahly Benghazi	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024
FW	Amjad Ben Abdi	(1999-03-07) 7 March 1999 (age 25)	0	0	Al Akhdar	v.  Togo; 26 March 2024
FW	Abdulsamie Diab	(2004-03-21) 21 March 2004 (age 20)	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 25)	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 record 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 Continental Africa Cup of Nations 2 Runners-up (1): 1982 African Nations Championship 1 Champions (1): 2014 Regional Arab Cup 2 Runners-up (2): 1964, 2012 3 Third place (1): 1966 Friendly LG Cup 1 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).