Libya
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)فُرْسَانُ الْمُتَوَّسِط (Fursan al-Mutawasit) (The Mediterranean Knights)
AssociationLibyan Football Federation
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationUNAF (North Africa)
Head coachMilutin Sredojevic
CaptainMuhammad Nashnoush
Most capsAhmed Saad (74)
Top scorerAli Al-Biski (35)
Home stadiumTripoli Stadium
FIFA codeLBY
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 120 Steady (21 December 2023)[1]
Highest36 (September 2012)
Lowest187 (July 1997)
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
Appearances3 (first in 1982)
Best resultRunner-up (1982)
Medal record
Men's Football
Africa Cup of Nations
Silver medal – second place1982 Libya
African Nations Championship
Gold medal – first place2014 South Africa


Mediterranean Games
Bronze medal – third place2005 Almería
Bronze medal – third place2009 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 Cups in history but has qualified for three Africa Cup of Nations: 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 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.[2]

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.[3]

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".[4] 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.[5]

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.[6]

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.[7] Javier Clemente was reappointed as head coach shortly afterwards.[8][9]

Kits

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Libya national football team 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

24 March 2023 AFCON qualification Tunisia  3–0  Libya Tunis, Tunisia
21:30 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Stade Hammadi Agrebi
Referee: Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria)
17 June 2023 AFCON qualification Botswana  1–0  Libya Francistown, Botswana
18:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Francistown Stadium
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)
6 September 2023 AFCON qualification Libya  1–1  Equatorial Guinea Benina, Libya
21:00 UTC+2
  • Taqtaq 80'
 Report
  • Elo 62'
 Stadium: Benina Martyrs Stadium
Referee: Alhadi Allaou Mahamat (Chad)
Assistant referees: Issa Yaya (Chad)
Assistant referees: Bogola Issa (Chad)
Fourth official: Alfred Armi Pousri (Chad)
14 October Friendly Liberia  2–3  Libya Khouribga, Morocco
19:30 UTC+1
Report
  • Eisa 3' (pen.)
  • Bosheba 48'
  • Salama 66'
 Stadium: Phosphate Stadium
Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
17 October Friendly Libya  1–1  Niger Khouribga, Morocco
16:30 UTC+1
  • El Ghadi 59'
 Report
  • Sabo 75'
 Stadium: Phosphate Stadium
Referee: Mustapha Kechaf (Morocco)
19 October Friendly Somalia  0–0  Libya Khouribga, Morocco
19:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Phosphate Stadium
11 November Friendly Libya  2–1  Sudan Benina, Libya
18:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Martyrs of February Stadium
Attendance: 0
17 November 2026 World Cup qualification Eswatini  0–1  Libya Mbombela, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Mbombela Stadium
Attendance: 200
Referee: Omar Artan (Somalia)
21 November 2026 World Cup qualification Libya  1–1  Cameroon Benina, Libya
18:00 UTC+2
  • Aleiyan 43'
 Report
Stadium: Benina Martyrs Stadium
Attendance: 13,450
Referee: Adissa Abdul Raphiou Ligali (Benin)

2024

2 January Friendly Indonesia  0–4  Libya Antalya, Turkey
15:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Mardan Sports Complex
Referee: Bahattin Şimşek (Turkey)
5 January Friendly Libya  2–1  Indonesia Antalya, Turkey
15:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Mardan Sports Complex
Referee: Kadir Sağlam (Turkey)
12 January Friendly Libya  3–1  Kuwait Cairo, Egypt
18:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Cairo International Stadium

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following 27 players were called up for the friendly games against Indonesia and Kuwait in January 2024.[12]

Caps and goals correct as of 5 January 2024, after the match against  Indonesia.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Aseel Al-Maqsabi (2000-08-02) 2 August 2000 0 0 Libya Al Nasr Benghazi
12 1GK Murad Al-Wuheeshi (1997-02-28) 28 February 1997 9 0 Libya Al-Ahly Benghazi
22 1GK Miftah Al-Taeb (1996-01-31) 31 January 1996 0 0 Libya Al Akhdar
2 2DF Mahmoud Al-Awgaly (1997-01-21) 21 January 1997 0 0 Libya Al Ta'awon
3 2DF Subhi Al-Dhawi (2004-06-08) 8 June 2004 5 0 Libya Al-Ittihad Tripoli
4 2DF Ali Yousef Al-Musrati (2001-09-07) 7 September 2001 6 0 Libya Al-Ahly Benghazi
6 2DF Osama Al-Sareet (2002-01-28) 28 January 2002 2 0 Libya Al-Ahly Benghazi
11 2DF Mehdi Al-Kout (1999-08-29) 29 August 1999 3 0 Libya Al Nasr Benghazi
13 2DF Salah Fakroun (1999-02-08) 8 February 1999 12 0 Libya Al-Ahly Benghazi
19 2DF Sanad Bin Ali (2000-09-19) 19 September 2000 2 0 Libya Al-Ittihad Tripoli
21 2DF Mohamed Al-Takbali (1999-04-12) 12 April 1999 5 0 Bahrain Al-Hidd
26 2DF Ahmed Saleh (2001-01-01) 1 January 2001 0 0 Libya Al-Ittihad Tripoli
5 3MF Ziyad Al-Elwani (2000-05-25) 25 May 2000 3 0 Libya Al Nasr Benghazi
8 3MF Nouraldin Al-Qulaib (2001-03-22) 22 March 2001 6 0 Libya Asswehly
10 3MF Omar Al Khouja (2000-03-01) 1 March 2000 18 2 Libya Al-Ittihad Tripoli
14 3MF Daniel Elfadli (1997-04-06) 6 April 1997 3 1 Germany Magdeburg
15 3MF Alaa Al Qajdar (1998-02-15) 15 February 1998 1 0 Libya Al-Ittihad Tripoli
18 3MF Hussein Taktak (2002-04-20) 20 April 2002 3 1 Libya Al-Ahly Benghazi
20 3MF Osamah Al-Shuraimi (2001-02-20) 20 February 2001 3 1 Libya Asswehly
24 3MF Mohsen Al-Awjali (1997-01-21) 21 January 1997 0 0 Libya Al Ta'awon
7 4FW Abdussalam Tubal (1993-06-23) 23 June 1993 28 0 Libya Al Nasr Benghazi
9 4FW Ahmed Krawa'a (1989-04-21) 21 April 1989 8 3 Libya Al-Ahli Tripoli
16 4FW Abdulmuyassir Boushibah (2004-02-02) 2 February 2004 3 0 Libya Al-Ittihad Misurata
17 4FW Fadel Ali Salama (2002-02-21) 21 February 2002 9 2 Libya Al-Ahly Benghazi
23 4FW Faraj Ghaidan (2001-07-15) 15 July 2001 0 0 Libya Al Ta'awon
25 4FW Abdulsamie Diab (2004-03-21) 21 March 2004 0 0 Libya Al-Ahli Tripoli
27 4FW Mohamed Adel (2003-11-28) 28 November 2003 0 0 Libya Al Murooj

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 Mohamed Darebi (2003-05-05) 5 May 2003 0 0 Libya Abu Salim v.  Cameroon; 21 November 2023
GK Ayman Al-Tihar (2002-04-27) 27 April 2002 1 0 Libya Al-Ahly Tripoli v.  Equatorial Guinea; 6 September 2023
GK Muad Al Mansoori (1993-08-29) 29 August 1993 0 0 Libya Abu Salim v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
GK Muad Allafi (2000-05-15) 15 May 2000 13 0 Libya Al-Ittihad Tripoli v.  Tunisia; 28 March 2023
DF Abdelaziz Ali (1997-02-04) 4 February 1997 2 0 Libya Al-Ahli Tripoli v.  Cameroon; 21 November 2023
DF Jaefar Adrees (1997-02-21) 21 February 1997 2 0 Libya Al-Hilal Benghazi v.  Cameroon; 21 November 2023
DF Tahir Bin Amir (2000-04-16) 16 April 2000 6 0 Libya Al-Ahly Benghazi v.  Eswatini; 17 November 2023
DF Taha Khalil (2001-05-06) 6 May 2001 0 0 Libya Darnes v.  Equatorial Guinea; 6 September 2023
DF Hamza Al-Mugsi (2003-02-27) 27 February 2003 0 0 Libya Olympic Azzaweya v.  Equatorial Guinea; 6 September 2023
DF Abdalla Sherif (1996-07-18) 18 July 1996 11 0 Libya Al-Nasr Benghazi v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
DF Naji Dura (1988-05-05) 5 May 1988 12 0 Libya Al-Ittihad Tripoli v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
DF Abubakar Milad (1998-06-01) 1 June 1998 2 0 Libya Al-Ahli Tripoli v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
DF Mohammed Al-Tarhouni (1991-07-10) 10 July 1991 27 1 Libya Al-Ahli Tripoli v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
DF Motasem Sabbou (1993-08-20) 20 August 1993 63 2 Libya Al-Ittihad Tripoli v.  Tunisia 28 March 2023
DF Mohamed El Monir (1992-04-08) 8 April 1992 37 4 Libya Al-Ahli Tripoli v.  Tunisia 28 March 2023
DF Talal Farhat (1994-09-08) 8 September 1994 12 0 Libya Al-Ittihad Tripoli v.  Tunisia 28 March 2023
DF Mahmoud Benwali (1995-04-15) 15 April 1995 1 0 Egypt Haras El Hodoud v.  Tunisia 28 March 2023
DF Ali Salama (1993-04-04) 4 April 1993 58 2 Libya Al-Nasr Benghazi 2022 African Nations Championship
DF Mansour Makkari (1992-10-19) 19 October 1992 7 0 Libya Al-Ahli Tripoli 2022 African Nations Championship
DF Anas Abd Alraheem (1993-04-04) 4 April 1993 0 0 Libya Al Akhdar 2022 African Nations Championship
DF Suliman Qassim (1991-08-01) 1 August 1991 0 0 Libya Al Akhdar 2022 African Nations Championship
MF Faisal Al Badri (1990-06-04) 4 June 1990 61 10 Libya Al-Hilal Benghazi v.  Cameroon; 21 November 2023
MF Abdulsalam Dega (2000-09-21) 21 September 2000 5 0 Libya Al-Hilal Benghazi v.  Cameroon; 21 November 2023
MF Abdulmunem Aleiyan (1997-01-11) 11 January 1997 3 1 Libya Abu Salim v.  Cameroon; 21 November 2023
MF Osama Belaid (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 3 0 Libya Al-Hilal Benghazi v.  Cameroon; 21 November 2023
MF Fahd Al-Mesmary (2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 1 0 Montenegro Sutjeska v.  Equatorial Guinea; 6 September 2023
MF Mahmoud Al-Shalwi (2001-08-08) 8 August 2001 1 0 Libya Darnes v.  Equatorial Guinea; 6 September 2023
MF Faraj Ghaydhan (2001-07-15) 15 July 2001 0 0 Libya Al-Khums v.  Equatorial Guinea; 6 September 2023
MF Malek Al-Andalusi (2003-08-12) 12 August 2003 0 0 Libya Al-Ahli Tripoli v.  Equatorial Guinea; 6 September 2023
MF Muaid Ellafi (1996-03-07) 7 March 1996 38 8 Morocco Wydad Casablanca v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
MF Rabia Al-Shadi (1994-03-06) 6 March 1994 14 1 Libya Al-Ittihad Tripoli v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
MF Suhaib Shafshuf (1991-01-19) 19 January 1991 14 0 Libya Al Akhdar v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
MF Shamikh Faraj Al-Obaidi (1994-06-27) 27 June 1994 13 0 Libya Al Nasr Benghazi v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
MF Zakaria Alharaish (1998-10-23) 23 October 1998 12 2 Algeria USM Alger v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
MF Abouqassim Rajab (1999-09-03) 3 September 1999 9 1 Libya Alittihad Misurata v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
MF Osamah Al-Shareef (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 1 0 Libya Al-Hilal Benghazi v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
MF Almuetasim Allafi (1999-10-17) 17 October 1999 1 0 Libya Al-Madina v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
MF Ali Al-Musrati (1996-04-06) 6 April 1996 42 2 Portugal Braga v.  Tunisia 28 March 2023
MF Mohammed Soulah (1993-06-29) 29 June 1993 30 3 Kuwait Al-Arabi v.  Tunisia 28 March 2023
MF Mohammed Touhami (1992-05-31) 31 May 1992 17 0 Libya Al-Ittihad Tripoli v.  Tunisia 28 March 2023
MF Mahmoud Ali Okashah (1992-03-06) 6 March 1992 7 0 Libya Al-Ahli Tripoli 2022 African Nations Championship
FW Mohamed Elghadi (1999-03-26) 26 March 1999 2 0 Libya Abu Salim v.  Cameroon; 21 November 2023
FW Tarek Bshara (2000-01-22) 22 January 2000 1 0 Libya Olympic Azzaweya v.  Eswatini; 17 November 2023
FW Muayid Jaddour (2001-02-14) 14 February 2001 5 0 Libya Al-Ahli Tripoli v.  Equatorial Guinea; 6 September 2023
FW Osamah Abu Jalidah (2003-05-03) 3 May 2003 0 0 Libya Al-Akhdar v.  Equatorial Guinea; 6 September 2023
FW Mohamed Ayad (2002-01-15) 15 January 2002 0 0 Libya Asaria v.  Equatorial Guinea; 6 September 2023
FW Hamdou Elhouni (1994-02-12) 12 February 1994 43 4 Tunisia ES Tunis v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
FW Muftah Taktak (1996-05-05) 5 May 1996 20 0 Libya Al Nasr Benghazi v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
FW El-Mutasem Abushnaf (1991-11-14) 14 November 1991 16 2 Libya Abu Salim v.  Botswana; 17 June 2023
FW Muad Eisa (1999-05-08) 8 May 1999 15 0 Libya Al-Ittihad Tripoli v.  Tunisia 28 March 2023
FW Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (1994-03-28) 28 March 1994 6 0 United States Minnesota United v.  Tunisia 28 March 2023
FW Mohammed Al-Ghunaymi (1998-01-13) 13 January 1998 2 0 Iraq Zakho v.  Tunisia 28 March 2023
FW Anis Saltou (1992-04-01) 1 April 1992 28 7 Morocco FUS Rabat 2022 African Nations Championship

Records

As of 21 November 2023[13]
Players in bold are still active with Libya.

Most appearances

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Ahmed Saad Osman 74 20 2001–2013
2 Muhammad Nashnoush 72 0 2011–2021
3 Motasem Sabbou 63 2 2013–present
4 Faisal Al Badri 61 10 2011–present
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 50 6 2013–2017
9 Muhammad Al Maghrabi 48 3 2006–2013
10 Tarik El Taib 45 11 1998–2011

Top goalscorers

Rank Name Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Ali Al-Biski 35 44 0.8 1961–1970
2 Ahmed Saad Osman 20 72 0.28 2001–2013
3 Ahmed Al Masli 17 32 0.53 1998–2008
4 Tarik El Taib 11 45 0.24 1998–2011
5 Faisal Al Badri 10 61 0.16 2011–present
6 Nader Kara 9 32 0.28 2001–2009
7 Muaid Ellafi 8 38 0.21 2014–present
8 Anis Saltou 7 28 0.25 2013–present
9 Jehad Muntasser 6 18 0.33 1999–2007
Mohamed Zubya 6 25 0.24 2008–2021
Mohamed Al Ghanodi 6 50 0.12 2011–2017

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
Uruguay 1930 Part of  Italy Part of  Italy
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950 Did not enter Declined participation
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958
Chile 1962
England 1966 Withdrew Withdrew
Mexico 1970 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 3 5
West Germany 1974 Did not enter Declined participation
Argentina 1978 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 1
Spain 1982 Withdrew 2 1 1 0 2 1
Mexico 1986 Did not qualify 6 2 3 1 7 3
Italy 1990 Withdrew Withdrew
United States 1994 Disqualified Disqualified
France 1998 Did not enter Declined participation
South Korea Japan 2002 Did not qualify 10 1 2 7 11 22
Germany 2006 12 5 3 4 17 10
South Africa 2010 6 4 0 2 7 4
Brazil 2014 6 2 3 1 5 3
Russia 2018 8 3 1 4 8 11
Qatar 2022 6 2 1 3 4 7
Canada Mexico United States 2026 Qualification in progress 1 1 0 0 1 0
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/19 60 21 15 24 64 69

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
Sudan 1957Not affiliated to CAF Not affiliated to CAF
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965
Ethiopia 1968Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 4 5
Sudan 1970Did not enter Did not enter
Cameroon 1972Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 3
Egypt 1974Withdrew Withdrew
Ethiopia 1976Did not enter Did not enter
Ghana 1978
Nigeria 1980
Libya 1982Runners-up2nd523074 Qualified as hosts
Ivory Coast 1984Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 2
Egypt 1986 4 2 0 2 5 4
Morocco 1988Withdrew Withdrew
Algeria 1990
Senegal 1992Did not enter Did not enter
Tunisia 1994
South Africa 1996
Burkina Faso 1998
Ghana Nigeria 2000Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 1 6
Mali 2002 8 3 0 5 8 14
Tunisia 2004 6 3 1 2 12 8
Egypt 2006Group stage14th301215 12 5 3 4 17 10
Ghana 2008Did not enter Did not enter
Angola 2010
Equatorial Guinea Gabon 2012Group stage10th311144 6 3 3 0 6 1
South Africa 2013Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 0 3
Equatorial Guinea 2015 2 0 1 1 0 3
Gabon 2017 6 2 1 3 8 6
Egypt 2019 6 2 1 3 16 11
Cameroon 2021 6 1 0 5 7 15
Ivory Coast 2023 6 1 1 4 2 8
Morocco 2025To be determined To be determined
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027
TotalRunners-up3/36113531213 72 23 12 37 89 99

Olympic Games

Olympic Games record
Appearances: 0
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1896 – 1948Did not exist
Finland 1952Did not enter
Australia 1956
Italy 1960
Japan 1964
Mexico 1968Did not qualify
West Germany 1972Did not enter
Canada 1976Did not qualify
Soviet Union 1980Withdrew during qualification
United States 1984Did not qualify
South Korea 1988Did not enter
Spain 1992
United States 1996
Australia 2000
Greece 2004Did not qualify
China 2008
United Kingdom 2012
Brazil 2016Did not enter
Japan 2020Did not qualify
Total0/25
  • 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
Republic of the Congo 1965Did not enter
Nigeria 1973
Algeria 1978Group stage 18th310234
Kenya 1987Did not enter
Egypt 1991
Zimbabwe 1995
South Africa 1999
Nigeria 2003Did not qualify
Algeria 2007
Mozambique 2011Did not enter
Republic of the Congo 2015
Morocco 2019To be determined
Ghana 2023
TotalGroup stage1/11310234
  • Prior to the Cairo 1991 campaign, the Football at the All-Africa Games was open to full senior national teams.
  • ^1 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
Ivory Coast 2009Group stage7th302113
Sudan 2011Did not qualify
South Africa 2014Champions1st615064
Rwanda 2016Did not qualify
Morocco 2018Fourth place4th622276
Cameroon 2020Group stage13th302112
Algeria 20229th310212
Total1 title5/72141161617

Mediterranean Games

Mediterranean Games record
Appearances: 9
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Egypt 1951Part of  Italy
Spain 1955Did not enter
Lebanon 1959
Italy 1963
Tunisia 1967Group stage8th301215
Turkey 1971Did not enter
Algeria 1975Group stage7th410348
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1979Did not enter
Morocco 1983Group stage9th200225
Syria 1987Did not enter
Greece 1991
France 1993
Italy 1997Group stage10th302134
Tunisia 20017th201112
Spain 2005Bronze medalists3rd5122310
Italy 2009403101
Turkey 2013Fourth place4th5113612
Spain 2018Group stage9th200218
Algeria 2021To be determined
TotalBronze medalists9/1830310172155

FIFA Arab Cup

FIFA Arab Cup record
Appearances: 4
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Lebanon 1963Did not enter
Kuwait 1964Runners-up2nd422095
Iraq 1966Third place3rd5221204
Saudi Arabia 1985Did not enter
Jordan 1988
Syria 1992
Qatar 1998Group stage11th400224
Kuwait 2002Withdrew
Saudi Arabia 2012Runners-up2nd5320118
Qatar 2021Did not qualify
TotalRunners-up4/9187634221

Arab Games

Arab Games record
Appearances: 9
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
Egypt 1953Bronze medalists3rd32011014
Lebanon 1957Group stage8th3003512
Morocco 1961Bronze medalists3rd52121313
United Arab Republic 196564024418
Syria 1976Did not enter
Morocco 1985Group stage5th210122
Syria 1992Did not enter
Lebanon 1997Group stage6th302145
Jordan 1999Bronze medalists3rd6321116
Algeria 2004No tournament
Egypt 2007Silver medalists2nd431071
Qatar 2011Group stage7th302112
TotalSilver medalists9/1135158129773

Palestine Cup of Nations

Honours

See also

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
    2. ↑ Anaman, Fiifi (19 March 2017). "The Last Time: How Ghana managed an unlikely ascension unto the African football throne". Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
    3. ↑ 4 September 2011, Libyan football enters post-Gaddafi era Archived 2018-10-31 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News Online, Accessed September 5, 2011.
    4. ↑ 7 October 2011, Libya eye unlikely qualification Archived 2023-04-05 at the Wayback Machine, BBC Sport, Accessed October 8, 2011.
    5. ↑ 8 October 2011, Zambia, Libya make Nations Cup cut Archived 2023-04-05 at the Wayback Machine, BBC Sport, Accessed October 8, 2011.
    6. ↑ 29 November 2011, Libyan National Football Team and the Libyan National Chess Team Reception Archived 2012-05-09 at the Wayback Machine, [SmugMug Sohail Nakhooda], Accessed 30 November 2011.
    7. ↑ "Libya looking for a new men's football coach". Archived from the original on 2021-05-31. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
    8. ↑ "Javier Clemente vuelve: "Necesito entrenar, es como un doping para mi"". Archived from the original on 2021-05-30. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
    9. ↑ "Javier Clemente: Libyan National Football Team's New Coach". Archived from the original on 2021-05-23. Retrieved 2021-05-31.
    10. ↑ Ca selecţioner al Libiei, Cicerone Manolache avea un salariu de 2.000 $, dar statul român oprea 1.700 $ Archived 2011-09-07 at the Wayback Machine, www.libertatea.ro, 29 mars 2011.
    11. ↑ Dakhil, Morad (February 21, 2023). "Libya search for homegrown coach as Corentin Martins departs". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on February 23, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
    12. ↑ "Squad list". Libya Football Federation.
    13. ↑ "Libya". National Football Teams.
    14. ↑ "Morocco wins Arab Cup 2012 title". alarabiya.net. Al Arabia News. 7 July 2012. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
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