Football in Lebanon
Encyclopedia
Football is a popular sport in Lebanon. Football in Lebanon
is governed by the Federation Libanaise de Football Association
. The country's most popular clubs are Al-Ansar and Al-Nejmeh
. The top division league is the Lebanese Premier League
which consists of 12 teams.
is managed by Theo Bucker
and captained by Roda Antar
. In 2000, Lebanon
hosted the 2000 AFC Asian Cup
and were eliminated from the group stage.
A women's team
, an under-23 team
, an under-20 team
, an under-17 team
and a futsal team
also compete.
along side Al-Ansar are the most popular football clubs in Lebanon
. In 1974, the famous Brazilian player Pelé
played a game with them. In 1975, they won 1-0 over USSR champions and cup holders in that year Ararat Yerevan FC. They have also beaten other great teams. They have the largest fan club in Lebanon with about 30% from all the Lebanese supporting them.
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
is governed by the Federation Libanaise de Football Association
Federation Libanaise de Football Association
The Lebanese Football Association is the governing body of football in Lebanon. It organizes the Lebanon national football team, the Lebanon women's national football team, the Lebanon national under-23 football team, the Lebanon national under-20 football team, the Lebanon national under-17...
. The country's most popular clubs are Al-Ansar and Al-Nejmeh
Nejmeh SC
This article is about the Lebanese football club.For the Saudi Arabian team, see Al-Nejma .For the Bahraini team, see Al-Najma.For the Libyan team, see Annajma S.C.....
. The top division league is the Lebanese Premier League
Lebanese Premier League
Lebanese Premier League is the top division of the Federation Libanaise de Football Association football league competitions. It was founded in 1900 and began in 1934 and their confederation is the AFC...
which consists of 12 teams.
National Competitions
- Lebanese Premier LeagueLebanese Premier LeagueLebanese Premier League is the top division of the Federation Libanaise de Football Association football league competitions. It was founded in 1900 and began in 1934 and their confederation is the AFC...
- Lebanese Second DivisionLebanese Second DivisionThe Lebanese Second Division is the second division of Lebanese football. It is controlled by the Federation Libanaise de Football Association...
- Lebanese Third DivisionLebanese Third DivisionThe Lebanese Third Division is the third division of Lebanese football. It is controlled by the Federation Libanaise de Football Association. The champions qualify to the Lebanese Second Division and replace the relegated teams.-Teams:...
- Lebanese Fourth DivisionLebanese Fourth DivisionThe Lebanese Fourth Division is the fourth division of Lebanese football. It is controlled by the Federation Libanaise de Football Association. The champions qualify to the Lebanese Third Division.-Teams:The 2011-2012 season includes the following teams:...
- Lebanese FA CupLebanese FA CupThe Lebanese FA Cup is the top knockout tournament in Lebanese football. The most successful team is Al-Ansar, winning 12 titles.- Finals :*1938 : Al Nahda FC *1939 : Helmi Sport*1940 : Helmi Sport*1941 : Al Nahda FC...
- Lebanese Super CupLebanese Super Cup-Winners:*1996 : Al-Ansar*1997 : Al-Ansar*1998 : Al-Ansar*1999 : Al-Ansar*2000 : Nejmeh*2002 : Nejmeh*2004 : Nejmeh*2008 : Al-Ahed*2009 : Nejmeh*2010 : Al-Ahed-External Links:...
- Lebanese Elite CupLebanese Elite CupThe Lebanese Elite Cup is a Lebanese cup competition played by the top-6 league finishers of the previous season.The competition was first played in 1996 and was contested by the top four of the league and the cup winners. It was known as the Super League Cup...
- Lebanese Federation CupLebanese Federation Cup-Winners:*1999 : Al-Ansar*2000 : Al-Ansar*2004 : Al-Ahed-External Links:...
National Teams
The Lebanon national football teamLebanon national football team
The Lebanon national football team represents the Republic of Lebanon in international association football. Their official nickname is The Cedars...
is managed by Theo Bucker
Theo Bücker
Theo Bücker was born on the 10th of July, 1948 in Bestwig, Germany and is a German football manager and a former player.-Coaching Career:On the 8th of August in 2011, it was reported that Bücker was announced as Lebanon's new head coach, with the former national team manager taking over the reins...
and captained by Roda Antar
Roda Antar
Roda Antar is a Lebanese football midfielder who currently plays for Shandong Luneng Taishan in the Chinese Super League, and is captain of the Lebanon national team....
. In 2000, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
hosted the 2000 AFC Asian Cup
2000 AFC Asian Cup
The Asian Football Confederation's 2000 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Lebanon between October 12 and October 29. Japan defeated defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final match in Beirut.-Qualification:...
and were eliminated from the group stage.
A women's team
Lebanon women's national football team
The Lebanon national women's football team represents the Republic of Lebanon in international association football. Their official nickname is The Cedars...
, an under-23 team
Lebanon national under-23 football team
The Lebanon national under-23 football team represents the Republic of Lebanon in the under-23 olympic or youth football competitions. Their official nickname is The Cedars...
, an under-20 team
Lebanon national under-20 football team
The Lebanon national under-20 football team represents the Republic of Lebanon in the under-20, the under-19 or youth football competitions. Their official nickname is The Cedars...
, an under-17 team
Lebanon national under-17 football team
The Lebanon national under-17 football team represents the Republic of Lebanon in the under-17 or youth football competitions. Their official nickname is The Cedars...
and a futsal team
Lebanon national futsal team
The Lebanon national futsal team represents the Republic of Lebanon in international futsal competitions. Their official nickname is The Cedars...
also compete.
Guinness World Record
The Al-Ansar won 11 consecutive league titles between 1988 and 1999.Premier League Football Clubs
The 2011-2012 season includes the following teams:- Al-Ahli SidonAl-Ahli SidonAl-Ahli Sidon is a Lebanese football club based in Sidon, Lebanon. Al-Ahli last competed in the Lebanese Premier League in the 2007/2008 season and was relegated after coming in 12th position...
- Al-Ahed
- Al-Ansar
- Al Islah Al Bourj Al Shimaly
- Al-HikmaAl-HikmaHekmeh or Al-Hikma or Club Sagesse is a Lebanese basketball club based in Beirut. The basketball programme was established in 1992, as part of the historic Hekmeh club established in 1943 with mainly football programme...
- Al-MabarrahAl-MabarrahAl-Mabarrah is a Lebanese football club which competes in the Lebanese Premier League. It was founded in 1980, and played in friendly tournaments. In 1987 Al-Mabarra joined the Lebanese Football Federation, putting a strong team...
- Shabab Al-GhaziehShabab Al-GhaziehShabab Al-Ghazieh is a Lebanese football club its based in Ghazieh. The club competes in the Lebanese Premier League.With players coming from 6 different countries , the team's squad comprises the highest number of international players among Lebanese teams...
- Al-NejmehNejmeh SCThis article is about the Lebanese football club.For the Saudi Arabian team, see Al-Nejma .For the Bahraini team, see Al-Najma.For the Libyan team, see Annajma S.C.....
- Racing BeirutRacing BeirutRacing Beirut is a Lebanese football team playing at the top level. It is based in Beirut. Their home stadium is Fouad Shehab Stadium. It is primarily supported by the Christian community.-Current squad:*Wissam King:...
- Safa Sporting ClubSafa Sporting ClubSafa Beirut SC is a Lebanese sports club based in Wata El-Museitbeh, Beirut. In English the name Safa الصفاء means clarity...
- Shabab Al-SahelShabab Al-SahelShabab Al-Sahel are a Lebanese football club who play in the Lebanese First Division....
- Tadamon SourTadamon SourTadamon Sour is a Lebanese football team playing at the top level. It is based in Tyre. Their home stadium is Sour Stadium.-Beginning in 1939:...
Special Events
Al-NejmehNejmeh SC
This article is about the Lebanese football club.For the Saudi Arabian team, see Al-Nejma .For the Bahraini team, see Al-Najma.For the Libyan team, see Annajma S.C.....
along side Al-Ansar are the most popular football clubs in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. In 1974, the famous Brazilian player Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
played a game with them. In 1975, they won 1-0 over USSR champions and cup holders in that year Ararat Yerevan FC. They have also beaten other great teams. They have the largest fan club in Lebanon with about 30% from all the Lebanese supporting them.