Ever wondered how football became structured in Lebanon? The story of the Lebanese Football Association is quite interesting. It is a cornerstone of Lebanese sports history.
The Lebanese Football Association was formed in 1933. Thirteen football clubs gathered in Beirut to create it. Hussein Sejaan became its first president. Lebanon was among the first Middle Eastern nations to create a football administrative body.
In 1931, Khalil Hilmi tried to form a federation but failed. Nahda opposed its creation. The Lebanese Football Association joined FIFA in 1936. It then joined the AFC in 1964. The WAFF accepted the LFA as a founding member in 2001.
Football is the most popular sport in Lebanon. It gained popularity in the late 19th century. Teachers and students in Christian schools played it. The Lebanese Football Association is one of the oldest football bodies in the Middle East.
The national team played its first unofficial game in 1935. They played against Romanian club CA Timișoara. Their first official FIFA game was in 1940. They lost to Mandatory Palestine 5–1. Camille Cordahi scored Lebanon’s first official international goal.
Between the 1940s and 1960s, Armenian clubs dominated Lebanese football. Homenetmen and Homenmen led the scene. The civil war from 1975 to 1990 stopped football. Ansar then won 11 consecutive league titles.
In the 21st century, Ansar, Nejmeh, and Ahed became the big three. These teams won most titles. Historically, Ansar and Nejmeh were the most supported clubs. Ahed gained popularity later.
The Lebanese national team has never won a major international title. However, Ahed won the AFC Cup in 2019. The national under-18 team reached a final in 2021. They were runners-up in the WAFF U-18 Championship.
In 1985, the Lebanese Civil War split the LFA. There were two administrations: Western and Eastern. FIFA froze Lebanon’s membership until 1987. FIFA recognized the 1985 elections, with Nabil Al Raei as president.
Lebanon hosted the 2000 AFC Asian Cup. They finished last in their group. In 2001, they joined the West Asian Football Federation. Nejmeh dominated Lebanese football from 2000. In 2005, they reached the AFC Cup final. Ahed achieved a treble and quadruple in 2010–11.
Ahed won the Lebanese Premier League in 2018–19. This was their third consecutive title. The national team qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. They won their first game against North Korea. Ahed won the AFC Cup in 2019.
The Lebanese Football Association has a rich history. It started in 1933 and has overcome many challenges. It continues to shape football in Lebanon. Its story reflects Lebanon’s resilience. The Lebanese Football Association remains a source of national pride.