Libya national football team

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.

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.

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]

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.

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.

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.

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).

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]

The following players were called up for the 2023 AFCON qualification match against Equatorial Guinea on 6 September 2023.

Caps and goals correct as of 6 September 2023, after the match against Equatorial Guinea

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Aseel Al-Maqsabi	(2000-08-02) 2 August 2000	0	0	Al Nasr Benghazi
12	1GK	Ayman Al-Tihar	(2002-04-27) 27 April 2002	1	0	Al-Ahly Tripoli
3	2DF	Subhi Al-Dhawi	(2004-06-08) 8 June 2004	1	0	Al-Ittihad Tripoli
4	2DF	Ali Yousef Al-Musrati	(2001-09-07) 7 September 2001	5	0	Al-Ahly
6	2DF	Osama Al-Sareet	(2002-01-28) 28 January 2002	1	0	Al-Ahly Benghazi
13	2DF	Taha Khalil	(2001-05-06) 6 May 2001	0	0	Darnes
14	2DF	Tahir Bin Amir	(2000-04-16) 16 April 2000	6	0	Difaâ
19	2DF	Sanad bin Ali	(2000-09-19) 19 September 2000	0	0	Al-Ittihad Tripoli
20	2DF	Hamza Al-Mugsi	(2003-02-27) 27 February 2003	0	0	Olympic Azzaweya
5	3MF	Ziyad Al-Elwani	(2000-05-25) 25 May 2000	1	0	Al Nasr Benghazi
7	3MF	Abdulsalam Dega	(2000-05-08) 8 May 2000	1	0	Al-Hilal Benghazi
8	3MF	Nour al-Din Al-Qulaib	(2001-03-22) 22 March 2001	6	0	Asswehly
11	3MF	Faraj Ghaydhan	(2001-07-15) 15 July 2001	0	0	Al-Khums
15	3MF	Osamah Al-Shuraimi	(2001-02-20) 20 February 2001	1	0	Asswehly
16	3MF	Mahmoud Al-Shalwi	(2001-08-08) 8 August 2001	1	0	Darnes
18	3MF	Hussein Taktak	(2000-03-01) 1 March 2000	1	1	Al-Ahly Benghazi
21	3MF	Malek Al-Andalusi	(2003-08-12) 12 August 2003	0	0	Al-Ahli
9	4FW	Abdulmuyassir Boushibah	(2004-02-02) 2 February 2004	1	0	Al-Ittihad Misurata
10	3MF	Fahd Al-Mesmary	(2004-06-10) 10 June 2004	1	0	Sutjeska
17	4FW	Osamah Abu Jalidah	(2003-05-03) 3 May 2003	0	0	Al-Akhdar
22	4FW	Mohamed Ayad	(2002-01-15) 15 January 2002	0	0	Asaria
23	4FW	Muayid Jaddour	(2001-02-14) 14 February 2001	5	0	Al-Ahli

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	Murad Al-Wuheeshi	(1997-02-28) 28 February 1997	1	0	Al-Ahly Benghazi	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
GK	Muad Al Mansoori	(1993-08-29) 29 August 1993	0	0	Abu Salim	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
GK	Muad Allafi	(2000-05-15) 15 May 2000	13	0	Al-Ittihad	v. Tunisia, 28 March 2023
DF	Fadel Salama	(2002-06-06) 6 June 2002	5	1	Al-Ahly Benghazi	v. Equatorial Guinea, 6 September 2023 WD
DF	Abdalla Sherif	(1996-07-18) 18 July 1996	11	0	Al-Nasr	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
DF	Naji Dura	(1988-05-05) 5 May 1988	12	0	Al-Ittihad	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
DF	Abubakar Milad	(1998-06-01) 1 June 1998	2	0	Al-Ahli	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
DF	Mohammed Al-Tarhouni	(1991-07-10) 10 July 1991	27	1	Al-Ahli	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
DF	Motasem Sabbou	(1993-08-20) 20 August 1993	63	2	Al-Ittihad	v. Tunisia, 28 March 2023
DF	Mohamed El Monir	(1992-04-08) 8 April 1992	37	4	Al-Ahli	v. Tunisia, 28 March 2023
DF	Talal Farhat	(1994-09-08) 8 September 1994	12	0	Al-Ittihad	v. Tunisia, 28 March 2023
DF	Mahmoud Benwali	(1995-04-15) 15 April 1995	1	0	Haras El Hodoud	v. Tunisia, 28 March 2023
DF	Ali Salama	(1993-04-04) 4 April 1993	58	2	Al-Nasr	2022 African Nations Championship
DF	Salah Fakroun	(1999-02-08) 8 February 1999	11	0	Al-Nasr	2022 African Nations Championship
DF	Mansour Makkari	(1992-10-19) 19 October 1992	7	0	Al-Ahli	2022 African Nations Championship
DF	Anas Abd Alraheem	(1993-04-04) 4 April 1993	0	0	Al Akhdar	2022 African Nations Championship
DF	Suliman Qassim	(1991-08-01) 1 August 1991	0	0	Al Akhdar	2022 African Nations Championship
MF	Omar Al Khouja	(2000-03-01) 1 March 2000	17	2	Al-Ittihad	v. Equatorial Guinea, 6 September 2023 WD
MF	Muaid Ellafi	(1996-03-07) 7 March 1996	38	8	Wydad Casablanca	v Botswana, 17 June 2023
MF	Rabia Al-Shadi	(1994-03-06) 6 March 1994	14	1	Al-Ittihad	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
MF	Suhaib Shafshuf	(1991-01-19) 19 January 1991	14	0	Al Akhdar	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
MF	Shamikh Faraj Al-Obaidi	(1994-06-27) 27 June 1994	13	0	Al Nasr Benghazi	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
MF	Zakaria Alharaish	(1998-10-23) 23 October 1998	12	2	USM Alger	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
MF	Abouqassim Rajab	(1999-09-03) 3 September 1999	9	1	Alittihad Misurata	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
MF	Osamah Al-Shareef	(1998-11-28) 28 November 1998	1	0	Al-Hilal Benghazi	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
MF	Almuetasim Allafi	(1999-10-17) 17 October 1999	1	0	Al-Madina	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
MF	Ali Al-Musrati	(1996-04-06) 6 April 1996	42	2	Braga	v. Tunisia, 28 March 2023
MF	Mohammed Soulah	(1993-06-29) 29 June 1993	30	3	Al-Arabi	v. Tunisia, 28 March 2023
MF	Mohammed Touhami	(1992-05-31) 31 May 1992	17	0	Al-Ittihad	v. Tunisia, 28 March 2023
MF	Mahmoud Ali Okashah	(1992-03-06) 6 March 1992	7	0	Al-Ahli	2022 African Nations Championship
FW	Hamdou Elhouni	(1994-02-12) 12 February 1994	43	4	ES Tunis	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
FW	Muftah Taktak	(1996-05-05) 5 May 1996	20	0	Al Nasr Benghazi	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
FW	El-Mutasem Abushnaf	(1991-11-14) 14 November 1991	16	2	Abu Salim	v. Botswana, 17 June 2023
FW	Muad Eisa	(1999-05-08) 8 May 1999	15	0	Al-Ittihad	v. Tunisia, 28 March 2023
FW	Ismael Tajouri-Shradi	(1994-03-28) 28 March 1994	6	0	Minnesota United	v. Tunisia, 28 March 2023
FW	Mohammed Al-Ghunaymi	(1998-01-13) 13 January 1998	2	0	Zakho	v. Tunisia, 28 March 2023
FW	Anis Saltou	(1992-04-01) 1 April 1992	28	7	FUS Rabat	2022 African Nations Championship

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
Total		0/25

• Football at the Summer Olympics has been an under-23 tournament since the 1992 edition.

All-Africa Games record
Appearances: 1
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1965	Did not enter
1973
1978	Group stage 1	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.
• ^1 Libya was disqualified from the tournament due to violence with the Egyptian team during the match in the group stage.

Mediterranean Games record
Appearances: 9
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1951	Part of  Italy
1955	Did not enter
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
2021	To be determined
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.