Overview
Libya is a member of the Confederation of African Football and plays in the North African (UNAF) zone. The men's national team, known as the Mediterranean Knights, has played 387 recorded internationals since 1957, winning 144 of them (37.2%).
Libya have played at 3 AFCON finals without winning the title, finishing runners-up in 1982.
On current form our Elo rating places Libya 25th in Africa and 119th in the world.
With about 7.5 million people and its capital in Tripoli, Libya has produced 112 notable footballers footballers in our database.
Famous Libyan footballers
Almoatasembellah MohamedLibya · AS Monaco FC
A
Ahmad BenaliLibya · Pisa SC
Ismael Tajouri-ShradiLibya · New York City FC
Ahmed Saad OsmanLibya · b. 1979
Mohamed El MonirLibya · Al AHLI TRIPOLI SC
Ihaab BoussefiLibya · b. 1985
Samir AboudLibya · b. 1972
D
Djamal MahamatLibya · b. 1983
Éamon ZayedLibya · b. 1983
F
Fawzi Al-IssawiLibya · b. 1960
Younes Al ShibaniLibya · b. 1981
Most capped
Top scorers (match database)
- Ahmed Saad Osman
- Ahmed Al Masli
- Ezoo El Maremi
- Ali Al-Beshari
- Nader Kara
- Faisal Al Badri
- Abubaker Bani
- Jehad Muntasser
Where Libyan players play
3 active Libyan players are currently at clubs outside Libya. The most common destinations:
Clubs and leagues in Libya
Main competitions: Libyan Premier League, Libyan Second Division.
- Al-ittihadfounded 1944
- Al AHLI TRIPOLI SCfounded 1950
- Al-Nasser SCfounded 1954
- Al Ahly SC (Benghazi)
- Al-Madina SCfounded 1953
- Olympic Azzaweya S.C.founded 1947
- the White S.C.founded 1958
- Al-Hilal SCfounded 1952
- Al Swehly F.Cfounded 1944
- Attersana S.C.founded 1954
Where Libyan footballers are born
5 Libya internationals were born abroad, most often in United Kingdom (1), Germany (1), Switzerland (1). See the diaspora →
Stadiums
- Tripoli Stadium InternationalTripoli
- Wadi Al Rabi StadiumTripoli
- Benghazi International StadiumBenghazi
- Murbat StadiumMisrata
- GMR StadiumTripoli
- Zaawia StadiumZawiya
Strength over time
Year-end Elo rating of Libya. Elo history →
Frequently asked questions
What is the nickname of the Libya national team?
Libya are nicknamed the Mediterranean Knights.
How many times have Libya won AFCON?
Libya have won the Africa Cup of Nations 0 times.
Have Libya played at the World Cup?
No, Libya have not qualified for a World Cup finals tournament yet.
Who is the top scorer for Libya?
In our match database, Ahmed Saad Osman leads with 6 goals. Goal data is most complete for tournament matches.
Who is the most famous Libyan footballer?
By international recognition, Al-Saadi Gaddafi is the best-known Libyan footballer in our database, followed by Almoatasembellah Mohamed and Ahmad Benali.
What is the biggest stadium in Libya?
Tripoli Stadium International is the largest football stadium in Libya in our records, with a capacity of 67,000.