Lebanon women's national basketball team

For the men's team, see Lebanon national basketball team.

Lebanon

FIBA ranking	54 5 (9 February 2025) [1]
Joined FIBA	1947
FIBA zone	FIBA Asia
National federation	FLB
Coach	Paul Coughter
Nickname(s)	The Cedars
Asia Cup
Appearances	7
Home Away
Medal record Arab Women's Basketball Championship 2003 Jordan 2000 Algeria 1997 Lebanon 1983 Jordan Pan Arab Games 2011 Qatar 2004 Algeria

The Lebanon women's national basketball team represents Lebanon in international women's basketball tournaments and is governed by the Lebanese Basketball Federation. ^[2]

History

Early achievements (1980s-2000s)

The Lebanon women's national basketball team emerged on the regional scene in the late 20th century. They secured two third-place finishes at the Arab Women's Basketball Championship in 1983 and 1997. ^[3] The team's success continued with a silver medal at the 2000 Arab Women's Basketball Championship. ^[3] Building on this momentum, they achieved the championship title at the 2003 Arab Women's Basketball Championship. ^[3] The following year, they claimed the gold medal at the 2004 Pan Arab Games. ^[4] Further solidifying their regional presence, the team secured another gold medal at the 2011 Pan-Arab Games. ^{[5] [6]}

2009–2014: Promotion to division A of FIBA Asia and the FIBA ban

On the global stage, their achievements included a promotion to Division A of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup after finishing as runners-up in Division B at the 2009 FIBA Asia Championship for Women. ^[7] In the Division A of the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship for Women, they displayed strong performance, finishing in 5th place. ^[8] However, internal disputes within the national federation led to a four-year FIBA suspension in 2013. ^[9] This suspension prevented their participation in the Division A of the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship for Women, resulting in their return to Division B after the ban was lifted in 2014. ^[10]

2020–present: Promotion back to division A of FIBA Asia

After a prolonged period, the team regained their place in Division A by winning the 2021 FIBA Women's Asia Cup Division B. ^{[11] [12]} Carrying the momentum forward, they secured their Division A status in the 2023 FIBA Women's Asia Cup by defeating Chinese Taipei with a final score of 75–73, ensuring their participation in the top tier for the upcoming 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup. ^[13] Their 7th place finish in the 2023 FIBA Women's Asia Cup secured Lebanon's participation in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournament. ^[14] Lebanon did not advance in the Pre-Qualification after losing all three of their group phase games. ^[15]

The team's final opportunity for qualification came at the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup, which served as the primary qualifier for the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, awarding a direct berth to its champion and spots in the World Cup Qualifying Tournaments to the teams finishing in second to sixth place. ^[16] However, while Lebanon's 7th-place finish ended their campaign for the 2026 World Cup, it ensured they would remain in Division A for the 2027 FIBA Women's Asia Cup. ^[17]

Tournament records

FIBA World Cup

FIBA Women's World Cup							Qualification
Year	Position	Pld	W	L	Squad		Pld	W	L
1953 to 1998	did not enter						did not enter
2002	did not qualify						FIBA Women's Asia Cup served as qualifiers
2006	did not enter						did not enter
2010	did not qualify						FIBA Women's Asia Cup served as qualifiers
2014	suspended						suspended
2018	did not qualify						FIBA Women's Asia Cup served as qualifiers
2022	did not qualify						did not qualify
2026	did not qualify						3	0	3
Total	0/20	0	0	0			3	0	3

Asia Championship

FIBA Women's Asia Cup Records
Year	Division A				Division B				Squad
	Pos	Pld	W	L	Pos	Pld	W	L
2001	13th	level II			8th	4	1	3
2004	did not participate				did not participate
2005
2007
2009	8th	level II			2nd	6	5	1
2011	5th	6	2	4	Division A				Squad
2013	suspended				suspended
2015	did not participate				did not participate
2017	11th	level II			3rd	6	4	2	Squad
2019	did not participate				did not participate
2021	9th	level II			1st	4	4	0	Squad
2023	7th	4	1	3	Division A				Squad
2025	7th	4	1	3					Squad
2027	Qualified								Squad
Total		14	4	10		20	14	6

Squad

Current roster

Roster for the 2025 FIBA Women's Asia Cup. ^[18]

2025 Lebanon women's national basketball team roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr. C 0 Melody Saneh 23 – (2001-10-11)11 October 2001 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Azour Club C 1 Zena Elias 25 – (2000-02-05)5 February 2000 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) Beirut Club G 3 Maygen Naassan 19 – (2006-06-24)24 June 2006 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Al Riyadi PF 5 Maria Ghaleb 24 – (2001-04-18)18 April 2001 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Azour Club PF 8 Daniella Fayad 28 – (1997-04-09)9 April 1997 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) Homenetmen PG 9 Nour Labban 19 – (2005-10-04)4 October 2005 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in) Al Riyadi G 10 Tina Rita Raffoul 26 – (1998-09-10)10 September 1998 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Azour Club PG 11 Rebecca Akl  (C) 32 – (1992-10-18)18 October 1992 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) Al Riyadi C 14 Jillian Archer 24 – (2000-08-16)16 August 2000 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) Homenetmen G 19 Perla Bou Nasr 26 – (1999-06-10)10 June 1999 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) Homenetmen G 23 Mariam Jomaa 21 – (2003-12-13)13 December 2003 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) Beirut Club G 24 Amar Mansour 20 – (2004-11-07)7 November 2004 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) Azour Club	Head coach Paul Coughter Assistant coach(es) Kaissar Lahoud Legend (C) Team captain Club – describes last club before the tournament Age – describes age on 13 July 2025

See also

• Sport in Lebanon
• Lebanon women's national under-18 basketball team
• Lebanon women's national under-16 basketball team
• Lebanon men's national basketball team
• Lebanon men's national under-19 basketball team
• Lebanon men's national under-17 basketball team

References

1. "FIBA Ranking Presented by Nike". FIBA. 9 February 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
2. "Lebanon FIBA Profile Page". FIBA . Retrieved August 31, 2022.
3. "Record of the Arab championships for women's teams". www.arab.basketball. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
4. "Jeux Panarabes Le Liban récolte sa première médaille d'or". L'Orient-Le Jour . Retrieved 22 May 2024.
5. Basketball results at the Pan-Arab 2011 games official website Archived 2012-05-03 at the Wayback Machine
6. "L'équipe féminine libanaise de basket-ball couronnée à Doha". L'Orient-Le Jour . Retrieved 22 May 2024.
7. "2009 FIBA Women's Asia Cup Standing". Archived from the original on 24 September 2009. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
8. "2011 FIBA Women's Asia Cup". Archived from the original on 12 August 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
9. "FIBA suspends Lebanon 4 years for political bickering". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
10. "FIBA reinstates Lebanon membership". www.espn.com. 8 May 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
11. "Top 10 moments from 2021 in Asia from wonder women to return of frantic fans". FIBA . Retrieved September 6, 2022.
12. "Lebanon celebrate promotion to Division A after spoiling the home party in Amman". FIBA . Retrieved September 7, 2022.
13. "Semi-Finals set and Olympic Qualifying Tournaments teams confirmed; Chinese Taipei drop to Division B". FIBA . Retrieved July 3, 2023.
14. "Hosts announced for inaugural FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournaments". FIBA. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
15. "Lebanon Stats, Games, Results, Rosters, Photos, Videos - FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying Tournament". FIBA. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
16. "Everything you need to know about the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025". FIBA. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
17. "Lebanon retain Division A status, relegate Indonesia". FIBA. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
18. "Team Roster: Lebanon". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 2 August 2025.

External links

• Official website
• FIBA profile