| Nickname(s) | صبايا الأرز (The LadyCedars) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Lebanese Football Association (الاتحاد اللبناني لكرة القدم) | ||
| Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||
| Sub-confederation | WAFF (West Asia) | ||
| Head coach | Wael Gharzeddine | ||
| Captain | Nathalie Matar | ||
| Mostcaps | Syntia Salha (39) | ||
| Top scorer | Christy Maalouf (17) | ||
| Home stadium | Various | ||
| FIFA code | LBN | ||
| |||
| FIFA ranking | |||
| Current | 130 | ||
| Highest | 102 (December 2013) | ||
| Lowest | 145 (April – August 2021) | ||
| First international | |||
(Alexandria, Egypt; 19 April 2006) | |||
| Biggest win | |||
(Amman, Jordan; 9 June 2013) | |||
| Biggest defeat | |||
(Pegeia, Cyprus; 12 March 2015) | |||
| Arab Women's Cup | |||
| Appearances | 2 (first in2006) | ||
| Best result | Group stage (2006,2021) | ||
| WAFF Women's Championship | |||
| Appearances | 5 (first in2007) | ||
| Best result | Runners-up (2022) | ||
Medal record | |||
| Website | the-lfa | ||
TheLebanon women's national football team,[a] nicknamed "the LadyCedars" (Arabic:صبايا الأرز), represents Lebanon in internationalwomen's football. Established in 2005 and governed by theLebanese Football Association (LFA), the team has yet to qualify for theFIFA Women's World Cup or theAFC Women's Asian Cup but has achieved notable milestones in regional competitions. These include finishing as runners-up at the2022 edition of theWAFF Women's Championship and securing third-place finishes in2007 and2019.
Lebanon made their international debut in2006 at theArab Women's Cup, suffering a 12–0 defeat toAlgeria. Their first qualification campaign came in2014 for theAFC Women's Asian Cup, where they recorded their largest victory to date, a 12–1 win overKuwait. The team has since shown steady progress, competing inOlympic qualifiers, the Arab Women's Cup, and unofficial tournaments such as the2023 SAFF Tournament, which they won.
The Lady Cedars wear a red home kit and a white away kit, reflecting the colors of theLebanese flag. Since 2011, theirFIFA ranking has fluctuated between 102nd (December 2013) and 145th (April – August 2021).
Women's football in Lebanon traces its origins to 1964, when Rose La Sorte, the first women's physical education instructor at theAmerican University of Beirut (AUB), introduced the sport into the university's curriculum.[2] The modern development of organized women's football began in 1998,[3] when AUB formed its first official women's team, which played its inaugural match againstNotre Dame University–Louaize (NDU) in February 1999.[4] Other institutions, including theAmerican Community School Beirut (ACS) and theInternational College (IC),[5] soon followed, leading to the first interscholastic girls' tournament in 2002.[3]
The Lebanese Women's Football (LWF) committee was established in 2005 and later became affiliated with theLebanese Football Association (LFA).[6] That same year, the Lebanon women's national team – nicknamed "the LadyCedars" (Arabic:صبايا الأرز)[7][8] – were formed, becoming one of the earliest women's national teams in theWest Asian Football Federation (WAFF).[9] The team made its competitive debut at the2006 Arab Women's Championship. In their first-ever official match on 19 April 2006, Lebanon suffered a 12–0 defeat toAlgeria. The team then fell 8–0 toMorocco in their second and final group-stage fixture. Failing to score across both matches, Lebanon were eliminated in last place.[10]
Lebanon made its first appearance at theWAFF Women's Championship in2007. After losses toJordan andIran (both 3–0), the team secured a 7–0 win overSyria, withIman Chaito scoring ahat-trick,[11] finishing third.[12] In the2011 edition, they again placed third in their group, losing 8–1 to Iran and 5–0 to hostsUnited Arab Emirates (UAE), but managing a 1–0 win over Syria.[13][14]
Under coachFarid Nujaim, Lebanon enteredqualification for the2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup – their first official qualifying campaign, eight years from their inception.[15] Drawn with Jordan,Uzbekistan, andKuwait,[16] the team opened with a 5–0 loss to Jordan and a 4–0 defeat to Uzbekistan, but ended the campaign with a historic 12–1 win against Kuwait[17] – still their largest-margin win to date.[18] Lebanon finished third in their group and did not advance.[16]
Lebanon were scheduled to compete in2018 Asian Cup qualification, but withdrew in protest over the tournament's location in theWest Bank in Palestine, citing opposition to "legitimizingIsrael's occupation of the territory."[19] Later that year, the team made itsOlympic qualifying debut, suffering heavy defeats to Iran (8–0)[20] andHong Kong (4–0), and were eliminated in the first round.[21]

Since 2019, Lebanon has shown steady progress in regional competitions. At the2019 WAFF Championship, coached byWael Gharzeddine, the team finished third with wins over the UAE (2–0)[22] andPalestine (3–0),[7] and losses to Jordan (3–1)[23] and Bahrain (3–2).[24]
In August 2021, Lebanon participated in theArab Women's Cup, achieving their first international draw[18] (0–0 againstTunisia)[25] and a 5–1 win overSudan.[26] Despite a 4–0 defeat toEgypt,[27] they finished third in its group with four points.[26] Later that year, in the2022 Asian Cup qualifiers, Lebanon defeated the UAE[28] andGuam[29] but fell short of qualification after a 4–0 loss toMyanmar.[30]
A notable milestone came at the2022 WAFF Championship under coachHagop Demirjian,[31] where Lebanon placed second for the first time.[32] After a 3–0 win over Palestine and a 2–1 defeat to hosts Jordan, they closed with a 5–2 victory over Syria.[32] MidfielderLili Iskandar was named the tournament's best player.[32]
In April 2023, Lebanon competed in the first round of2024 Olympic qualifiers, losing 5–1 to Chinese Taipei[33] before defeatingIndonesia 5–0.[34] Later that year, they won the friendly2023 SAFF Tournament, beatingLaos,Bhutan, andMalaysia (viapenalties), and defeating Bhutan 1–0 inextra time during the final.[35] Iskandar scored the decisive goal in extra time and was the tournament’s top scorer with three goals.[35]
At the2024 WAFF Championship in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon advanced to the semi-finals after finishing second in their group. They began with a 4–3 win, featuring a hat-trick by Iskandar, including a stoppage-time winner,[36] following by a 3–2 victory over the host nationSaudi Arabia,[37] and a 2–0 loss to Jordan.[38] In the semi-finals, Lebanon were eliminated after a 2–1 defeat toNepal, with the decisive goal scored in stoppage time.[39]
In the2026 Asian Cup qualifiers, played in July 2025, Lebanon were drawn alongside Iran, Jordan,Singapore, and Bhutan. Following early defeats to Jordan (4–0)[40] and Bhutan (2–1),[41] Lebanon earned a historic 3–1 victory over Iran – who went on to top the group and qualify – thanks to a hat-trick byChristy Maalouf.[42] A 1–0 win against Singapore followed, but Lebanon did not advance.[43]
As of 28 November 2025, the complete official match record of the Lebanese women's national team comprises72 matches: 29 wins, 5 draws, and 38 losses.[18][44] During these matches, the team scored 120 times and conceded 190 goals. Lebanon's highest winning margin is 11 goals, which has been achieved againstKuwait in 2013 (12–1).[17][44] Their longest winning streak is 5 wins, and their highest unbeaten record is 11 consecutive official matches.[45][44]
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
| 17 February 2025 (2025-02-17)2025 Vianet Championship | Myanmar | 3–1 | Kathmandu, Nepal | |
| 13:30 UTC+5:45 |
| Report |
| Stadium:Dasharath Rangasala Referee: Anjana Rai (Nepal) |
| 20 February 2025 (2025-02-20)2025 Vianet Championship | Lebanon | 0–1 | Kathmandu, Nepal | |
| 17:30 UTC+5:45 | Report |
| Stadium:Dasharath Rangasala Attendance: 11,473 Referee: Tekcham Ranjita Devi (India) |
| 23 February 2025 (2025-02-23)2025 Vianet Championship | Kyrgyzstan | 0–2 | Kathmandu, Nepal | |
| 13:30 UTC+5:45 | Report | Stadium:Dasharath Rangasala Referee: Anjana Rai (Nepal) |
| 5 April 2025 (2025-04-05)Friendly | Lebanon | 1–1 | Beirut, Lebanon | |
| 15:00 UTC+3 |
| Report |
| Stadium:Champville Stadium |
| 7 April 2025 (2025-04-07)Friendly | Lebanon | 4–0 | Jounieh, Lebanon | |
| 14:00 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium:Fouad Chehab Stadium |
| 29 May 2025 (2025-05-29)Friendly | Lebanon | 1–1 | Beirut, Lebanon | |
| 18:00 UTC+3 |
| Report |
| Stadium:Champville Stadium Referee: Alesar Baddour (Syria) |
| 1 June 2025 (2025-06-01)Friendly | Lebanon | 2–1 | Jounieh, Lebanon | |
| 17:00 UTC+3 | Report |
| Stadium:Fouad Chehab Stadium |
| 7 July 2025 (2025-07-07)2026 Asian Cup qualification | Lebanon | 0–4 | Amman, Jordan | |
| 19:00 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium:King Abdullah II Stadium Referee: Rebecca Durcau (Australia) |
| 10 July 2025 (2025-07-10)2026 Asian Cup qualification | Bhutan | 2–1 | Amman, Jordan | |
| 19:00 UTC+3 |
| Report |
| Stadium:King Abdullah II Stadium Referee: Supiree Testhomya (Thailand) |
| 16 July 2025 (2025-07-16)2026 Asian Cup qualification | Lebanon | 3–1 | Amman, Jordan | |
| 16:00 UTC+3 |
| Report |
| Stadium:King Abdullah II Stadium Referee: Plong Pich Akara (Cambodia) |
| 19 July 2025 (2025-07-19)2026 Asian Cup qualification | Singapore | 0–1 | Amman, Jordan | |
| 16:00 UTC+3 | Report |
| Stadium:King Abdullah II Stadium Referee: Supiree Testhomya (Thailand) |
| 26 November 2025 (2025-11-26)2025 WAFF Championship GS | Lebanon | 0–3 | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | |
| 19:45 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium:Hall Stadium – King Abdullah Sports City Referee: Alesar Baddour (Syria) |
| 28 November 2025 (2025-11-28)2025 WAFF Championship GS | Jordan | 5–0 | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | |
| 16:45 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium:Hall Stadium – King Abdullah Sports City Referee: Rawdha Al-Mansoori (United Arab Emirates) |

| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | |
| Team manager | |
| Assistant coach | |
| Goalkeeper coach | |
| Fitness coach | |
| Physiotherapist | |
| Equipment officer | |
| Media officer |
The following players were called up for the2025 WAFF Women's Championship, held inJeddah, Saudi Arabia between 24 November and 2 December 2025.[47]
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GK | Clara Khalil | (2004-05-28)28 May 2004 (age 21) | 7 | 0 | ||
| 1GK | Marcelle Skaiki | (2007-02-01)1 February 2007 (age 19) | 3 | 0 | ||
| 1GK | Sinal Breiche | (2003-03-03)3 March 2003 (age 22) | 17 | 0 | ||
| 2DF | Ayana Rezkallah | (2008-04-21)21 April 2008 (age 17) | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2DF | Celine Bitar | (2007-07-17)17 July 2007 (age 18) | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2DF | Dima Al Kasti | (2001-12-13)13 December 2001 (age 24) | 34 | 5 | ||
| 2DF | Waed Raed | (2006-11-09)9 November 2006 (age 19) | 29 | 1 | ||
| 2DF | Yasmina Nassar | (2011-04-01)1 April 2011 (age 14) | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2DF | Zahwa Arabi | (2005-11-02)2 November 2005 (age 20) | 30 | 2 | ||
| 3MF | Cecile Iskandar | (2007-03-12)12 March 2007 (age 18) | 8 | 0 | ||
| 3MF | Gaelle Abou Melheb | (2010-03-04)4 March 2010 (age 15) | 0 | 0 | ||
| 3MF | Lama Abdine | (2006-09-09)9 September 2006 (age 19) | 10 | 0 | ||
| 3MF | Mya Mhanna | (2006-11-16)16 November 2006 (age 19) | 12 | 1 | ||
| 3MF | Shereen Karnib | (2007-06-09)9 June 2007 (age 18) | 2 | 0 | ||
| 3MF | Syntia Salha | (2003-01-12)12 January 2003 (age 23) | 39 | 8 | ||
| 3MF | Yara El Gitani | (2010-09-24)24 September 2010 (age 15) | 1 | 0 | ||
| 4FW | Christy Maalouf | (2005-12-20)20 December 2005 (age 20) | 31 | 17 | ||
| 4FW | Lili Iskandar | (2002-05-16)16 May 2002 (age 23) | 37 | 16 | ||
| 4FW | Lea El Hajj Ali | (2008-06-04)4 June 2008 (age 17) | 13 | 0 | ||
| 4FW | Maryam Lazkani | (2007-07-03)3 July 2007 (age 18) | 6 | 0 | ||
| 4FW | Sara Issa | (2009-02-18)18 February 2009 (age 16) | 2 | 0 | ||
The following footballers were part of a national selection in the past 12 months, but are not part of the current squad.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Aya Kobeissi | (2006-05-18)18 May 2006 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | v. | |
| GK | Maha Korjieh | (2003-04-10)10 April 2003 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | v. | |
| GK | Nour Hammoudy | (2007-03-08)8 March 2007 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | 2025 Vianet Championship | |
| DF | Mira Hoteit | (2000-09-20)20 September 2000 (age 25) | 14 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Nour Noujaim | (2004-02-06)6 February 2004 (age 22) | 11 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Tiana Jaber | (2000-05-09)9 May 2000 (age 25) | 10 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Karly Harfouche | (2004-08-03)3 August 2004 (age 21) | 8 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Asiyah Zreika | (2006-04-07)7 April 2006 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Tia Rita Daher | (2006-02-16)16 February 2006 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Julie Atallah | (2005-07-28)28 July 2005 (age 20) | 14 | 0 | v. | |
| DF | Farah El Tayar | (2003-12-10)10 December 2003 (age 22) | 9 | 1 | v. | |
| DF | Zainab Abi Mosleh | (2006-08-03)3 August 2006 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Nathalie Matar(captain) | (1995-09-20)20 September 1995 (age 30) | 37 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Paula Karam | (2007-09-20)20 September 2007 (age 18) | 5 | 0 | v. | |
| MF | Tatianna Kanaan | (2007-02-09)9 February 2007 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | 2025 Vianet Championship | |
| FW | Pilar Khoury | (1994-08-25)25 August 1994 (age 31) | 14 | 5 | v. | |
| FW | Anabelle Ghabach | (2005-10-11)11 October 2005 (age 20) | 10 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Sherin Hasno | (2007-03-25)25 March 2007 (age 18) | 5 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Leah Hachem | (2006-08-25)25 August 2006 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Serena Mansour | (2006-07-04)4 July 2006 (age 19) | 3 | 0 | v. | |
| FW | Lea Douaihy | (2005-03-17)17 March 2005 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | v. | |
| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Syntia Salha | 39 | 8 | 2021–present |
| 2 | Nathalie Matar | 37 | 0 | 2015–present |
| 3 | Lili Iskandar | 36 | 16 | 2018–present |
| 4 | Dima Al Kasti | 34 | 5 | 2019–present |
| 5 | Christy Maalouf | 30 | 17 | 2021–present |
| Zahwa Arabi | 30 | 2 | 2021–present | |
| 7 | Rana Al Mokdad | 29 | 1 | 2017–2024 |
| Waed Raed | 29 | 1 | 2021–present | |
| 9 | Samira Awad | 27 | 5 | 2018–2024 |
| 10 | Yara Bou Rada | 26 | 2 | 2018–2024 |

| Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Average | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christy Maalouf | 17 | 30 | 0.57 | 2021–present |
| 2 | Lili Iskandar | 16 | 36 | 0.44 | 2018–present |
| 3 | Hanin Tamim | 8 | 21 | 0.38 | 2018–2024 |
| Syntia Salha | 8 | 39 | 0.21 | 2021–present | |
| 5 | Sara Bakri | 7 | 22 | 0.32 | 2006–2017 |
| 6 | Nadia Assaf | 5 | 7 | 0.71 | 2007–2013 |
| Pilar Khoury | 5 | 14 | 0.36 | 2021–present | |
| Samira Awad | 5 | 27 | 0.19 | 2018–2024 | |
| Dima Al Kasti | 5 | 34 | 0.15 | 2019–present | |
| 10 | Iman Chaito | 3 | 3 | 1.00 | 2007 |
| Hiba El Jaafil | 3 | 14 | 0.21 | 2006–2013 | |
| Lara Bahlawan | 3 | 17 | 0.18 | 2011–2021 |
| FIFA Women's World Cup record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host nation(s) and year | Round | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Outcome | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||
| Did not qualify | The2014 AFC Women's Asian Cup served as the qualifying tournament | ||||||||||||||||
| Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||||
| Did not qualify | The2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup served as the qualifying tournament | ||||||||||||||||
| The2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup served as the qualifying tournament | |||||||||||||||||
| To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||
| To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | – | 0/10 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Total | – | – | – | – | – | – | |
| Summer Olympics record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host nation(s) and year | Round | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Outcome | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| Did not enter | The1995 FIFA Women's World Cup served as the qualifying tournament | ||||||||||||||||
| The1999 FIFA Women's World Cup served as the qualifying tournament | |||||||||||||||||
| Did not enter | |||||||||||||||||
| Did not qualify | 3rd of 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||
| 2nd of 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | |||||||||||
| To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | – | 0/8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Total | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 17 | |
| AFC Women's Asian Cup record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host nation(s) and year | Round | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Outcome | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||
| Did not qualify | 3rd of 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 10 | ||||||||||
| Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||||
| Did not qualify | 2nd of 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||
| 4th of 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | ||||||||||||
| To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | – | 0/21 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Total | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 21 | 21 | |
| Arab Women's Cup record | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host nation(s) and year | Round | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad |
| Group stage | 7th of 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | Squad | |
| Group stage | 5th of 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | Squad | |
| To be determined | |||||||||
| Total | Best: group stage | 2/2 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 25 | – |
| WAFF Women's Championship record | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host nation(s) and year | Round | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad |
| Did not enter | |||||||||
| Third place | 3rd of 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 6 | – | |
| Did not enter | |||||||||
| Group stage | 5th of 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 13 | – | |
| Did not enter | |||||||||
| Third place | 3rd of 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | Squad | |
| Runners-up | 2nd of 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | Squad | |
| Semi-finals | 3rd of 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 8 | Squad | |
| Group stage | 5th of 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | Squad | |
| Total | Best: runners-up | 6/9 | 19 | 8 | 0 | 11 | 32 | 45 | – |
| Tournament | Round |
|---|---|
| Group stage | |
| Fourth place | |
| Champions | |
| Third place |
Lebanon were first included in theFIFA World Ranking in September 2011, placing in 124th place.[50] Until early 2021, FIFA's ranking criteria required teams to have been active in the previous 18 months to be listed.[c][51] As Lebanon went inactive for 18 months for several periods,[18] they were unranked in various years (2014, 2016, 2017, 2020).[52] Lebanon's best ranking was 102nd in December 2013, and their worst was 145th between April and August 2021.[52]
The table shows the position that Lebanon held in December of each year (and the current position as of 2025), as well as the highest and lowest positions annually.
Best ranking Worst ranking
| Year | Position | Highest | Lowest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 127 | 124 | 127 |
| 2012 | 117 | 117 | 127 |
| 2013 | 102 | 102 | 111 |
| 2014 | NR | 109 | 119 |
| 2015 | 125 | 122 | 130 |
| 2016 | NR | 122 | 123 |
| 2017 | NR | NR | NR |
| 2018 | 134 | 134 | 134 |
| 2019 | 137 | 135 | 139 |
| 2020 | NR | 141 | 141 |
| 2021 | 140 | 140 | 145 |
| 2022 | 142 | 141 | 143 |
| 2023 | 134 | 134 | 142 |
| 2024 | 134 | 132 | 134 |
| 2025 | 125 | 125 | 131 |