Women's football in Lebanon

Women's football in Lebanon officially began in 2005, with the creation of the Lebanese Women's Football (LWF).[1] While not popular, the sport is mainly played in affluent areas in Lebanon.[1][2] One of the barriers of the growing sport is the prejudice that many women face for playing it.[3][4][5][6][7] From the late-2010s, however, football has become more widespread among the female population in Lebanon.[8] With the Lebanese Football Association (LFA) investing more into the youth system, Lebanon has achieved considerable success within its region (West Asia).[8][9]

Women's football in Lebanon
The women's national team celebrating third place at the 2019 WAFF Women's Championship
CountryLebanon
Governing bodyLebanon Football Association
National team(s)Women's national team
First played2005[1]
Registered players650 (as of 2019)[1]
Clubs16 (2019–20)
Club competitions
International competitions

The women's national under-17 team won the Arab U-17 Women's Cup in 2015, while in 2019 Lebanon won both the WAFF U-15 Girls Championship and the WAFF U-18 Girls Championship.[10][11] Also the senior team, mainly made up of the same youth players, came third in the 2019 WAFF Women's Championship.[12]

In 2019, Stars Association for Sports (SAS) were runners-up in the inaugural edition of the WAFF Women's Clubs Championship, a club competition for teams from West Asia.[13]

National competitions

League
Main article: Lebanese Women's Football League

The Lebanese Women's Football League was founded in 2008, with Sadaka winning the first title.[14] They went on to win six league titles in a row,[14] until they dissolved in 2013. From the 2014–15 season onwards, Stars Association for Sports (SAS) became the dominating force in Lebanon, winning five of the following six league titles.[14]

Cups

There are two domestic women's cup competitions in Lebanon: the Lebanese Women's FA Cup, and the Lebanese Women's Super Cup.[15]

National team
Main article: Lebanon women's national football team

Founded in 2005 as one of the earliest women's national teams in West Asia, the Lebanese women's national team came third the WAFF Women's Championship twice: in 2007 and in 2019.[16][17] The women's national under-17 team won the 2015 Arab U-17 Women's Cup, while in 2019 Lebanon won both the WAFF U-15 Girls Championship and the WAFF U-18 Girls Championship.[10][11]

See also

References
  1. Wehbé, Johana (27 June 2019). "Au Liban aussi les femmes ont leur place sur un terrain de foot - Johana Wehbé". L'Orient-Le Jour (in French). Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  2. "Lebanon optimistic towards women's football future". AFC. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  3. "Lebanese women futsal players kick down barriers". indiatimes.com. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  4. "Lebanon's women breaking new ground". FIFA. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  5. "Lebanese women's football revolution". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  6. "Sports of The Times - A Female Kicker's Dream Continues at". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  7. "The all-female refugee football team smashing stereotypes". ActionAid UK. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  8. Afiouni, Nadim (4 March 2020). "Women's National Team head coach Wael Gharzeddine: the best is yet to come". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  9. FIFA.com. "Women's Football - News - New horizons for women's football in Lebanon - FIFA.com". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  10. Abou Diab, Rami (16 December 2019). "Lebanon wins the 2019 U-15 West Asian Football Championship". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  11. "THE WAFF- Lebanon crowned the "WAFF U18" title". www.the-waff.com. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  12. "Perfect Jordan retain West Asian title". www.the-afc.com. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  13. "Shabab Al Ordon claim title with perfect 10 | Football News |". the-AFC. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  14. "Lebanon - List of Women Champions". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  15. "Lebanon - List of Women Cup Winners". www.rsssf.com. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  16. "West Asia Womens Championship". www.goalzz.com. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  17. "Perfect Jordan retain West Asian title". www.the-afc.com. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
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