Lebanese Federation Cup

The Lebanese Federation Cup (Arabic: كأس الإتحاد اللبناني) is an annual cup competition in men's domestic football in Lebanon. Organised by the Lebanese Football Association (LFA), it serves as the domestic league cup to the Lebanese Premier League and is contested before the start of each league season.

Not to be confused with the Lebanese FA Cup.
Lebanese Federation Cup
Organising bodyLebanese Football Association (LFA)
Founded1969 (1969)
RegionLebanon
Number of teams12
Current championsAhed
(2nd title)
Most successful club(s)Ahed
Ansar
(2 titles each)
Television broadcastersLFA YouTube channel
2023 Lebanese Federation Cup

The cup was first held in 1969, with Shabiba Mazraa winning its first edition. After having been played in 1972, the Lebanese Federation Cup was halted for 27 years, before being contested in 1999. It was played twice more, in 2000 and 2004, before being halted once again until 2023.[1] In 2023, the Lebanese Federation Cup replaced the Lebanese Elite Cup and Lebanese Challenge Cup as the pre-season preparatory tournament.[2]

The tournament is played over two rounds: the first round is a single round-robin, in which 12 teams are divided into four groups of three. Four teams qualify for the second round, a knockout tournament with two semi-finals and a final.

Format

The Lebanese Federation Cup, held as a preparatory tournament prior to the start of the Lebanese Premier League season, features all 12 teams participating in the Lebanese Premier League. The first phase consists of four groups of three teams, with the top four clubs of the previous league season as the seeded teams. The top-ranked team of each group qualifies for the semi-finals; the two winners qualify for the final. A penalty shoot-out is held in the case of a tie after 90 minutes in the knockout stages.[2]

In the competition, teams are allowed to register 10 players, with no limit of nationality, who are outside the club's player list. The rules also allow the registration of players from other clubs, provided they obtain written approval from their clubs.[2]

Winners and finalists

Winners by year
Lebanese Federation Cup finals
No. Season Winners Score Runners–up
1st 1969 Shabiba Mazraa
2nd 1972 Riada Wal Adab
3rd 1999 Ansar 4–0 Salam Zgharta
4th 2000 Ansar 1–0 (aet) Tadamon Sour
5th 2004 Ahed 3–2 (aet) Sagesse
6th 2023 Ahed 4–0 Ahli Nabatieh

Results by team
Club Wins Runners-up Total final appearances
Ansar 2 0 2
Ahed 2 0 2
Shabiba Mazraa 1 0 1
Riada Wal Adab 1 0 1
Salam Zgharta 0 1 1
Tadamon Sour 0 1 1
Sagesse 0 1 1
Ahli Nabatieh 0 1 1

See also

References
  1. Stokkermans, Karel (30 Apr 2023). "Lebanon – List of Cup Winners". RSSSF. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  2. لبنان: إلغاء كأسي النخبة والتحدي وإبدالهما ببطولة جديدة [Lebanon: Canceling the Elite and Challenge Cups and replacing them with a new championship]. Al Mayadeen (in Arabic). 9 May 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
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