Liberia national football team

Last updated

Liberia
Liberia FA.png
Nickname(s) The Lone Stars
Association Liberia Football Association
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation WAFU (West Africa)
Head coach Mario Marinică
Captain Oscar Dorley
Most caps Joe Nagbe (77)
Top scorer George Weah (18)
Home stadium SKD Stadium
FIFA code LBR
Kit left arm srb18h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body skenderbeu1819h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm srb18h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts srb18h.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
First colors
Kit left arm fac1819h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body pumahooped1819blue.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm fac1819h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts lotte1819a.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Second colors
FIFA ranking
Current 145 Steady2.svg (19 December 2024) [1]
Highest66 (July 2001)
Lowest164 (October–November 2010)
First international
Flag of France (1794-1815, 1830-1958).svg Ivory Coast 0–2 Liberia  Flag of Liberia.svg
(Abidjan, Ivory Coast; unknown date 1954)
Biggest win
Flag of Liberia.svg  Liberia 5–0 Djibouti  Flag of Djibouti.svg
(Monrovia, Liberia; 29 March 2016)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 6–0 Liberia  Flag of Liberia.svg
(Accra, Ghana; 6 April 1975)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances2 (first in 1996 )
Best resultGroup stage (1996 and 2002)

The Liberia national football team, nicknamed the Lone Stars, represents Liberia in men's international football and is controlled by the Liberia Football Association. Although the nation produced the 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year, George Weah, its football team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup and has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations just twice—in 1996 and 2002. It is a member of both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Contents

History

African Cup of Nations

In 1965 Liberia played in first campaign 1965 qualification qualifying campaign, losing its first match 0–1 against Ivory Coast. They also won 3–2 against DR Congo however lost both returning fixtures and were eliminated in the first round. In 1967 Liberia played in 1968 qualification qualifying campaign, drawing its first match 2–2 against Guinea. They also drew against Senegal however lost both returning fixtures and were eliminated in the first round. Liberia returned to qualifying in 1976 but lost in the preliminary round to Togo, falling to defeat in both fixtures. After another absence, Liberia again joined AFCON qualifying in 1982 in the preliminary rounds but failed to progress after two draws against Gambia, losing on the away goals rule.

Liberia withdrew from qualifying for the 1984 African Cup of Nations, but the following tournament they managed to secure their first win during qualifying, a 3–1 first-leg victory over Mauritania. They failed to capitalize on this advantage, losing 3–0 in the second leg. Liberia then faced Sierra Leone and Mali during the 1988 qualification and 1990 qualification respectively, but again failed to progress. In 1992, Liberia withdrew from qualifying before playing a match (possibly due to the ongoing First Liberian Civil War), and in 1994, Liberia was put into a group with two participants that withdrew during qualifying (Tanzania and Burkina Faso) however they failed to take advantage of this and finished with zero points, having lost to Ghana twice.

In the 1996 African Cup of Nations qualification, Liberia managed to register three wins (against Togo, Tunisia and Mauritania) and four draws, which saw them finish the group in second place and qualify for their first African Cup of Nations tournament. Following the withdrawal of Nigeria, Liberia was placed in a group with Gabon and Zaire. Liberia opened the tournament with a 2–1 victory over Gabon with goals from Kelvin Sebwe and Mass Sarr Jr. but lost 2–0 to Zaire. This meant that Liberia finished bottom of the group on goal difference and failed to progress to the knock-out stages.

Liberia missed out on returning to the African Cup of Nations in 1998 as they finished one point off of qualification. In 2000, they defeated Niger in the preliminary rounds, but again failed to advance to the main tournament, this time finishing behind Algeria on goal difference.

In 2002 African Cup of Nations qualification, Liberia beat Cape Verde in the preliminary rounds, then they finished top of their group to qualify for the main tournament for the second time in their history. In the 2002 African Cup of Nations, Liberia drew their first game 1–1 with Mali (goal scored by George Weah) and drew their second game 2–2 against Algeria (goals from Prince Daye and Kelvin Sebwe), but in their final group game, needing a win against Nigeria, they lost 1–0.

FIFA World Cup

Liberia first entered the qualifying process for the FIFA World Cup in 1966, however, they withdrew in protest against the fact that too few places had been reserved for Africa and Asia, along with all fourteen other African nations that had initially entered qualifying.

Liberia next entered qualifying in 1982 against Guinea after receiving a bye in the first round. They lost 1–0 over the two legs and were eliminated. In 1986, Liberia was again eliminated without having scored a goal, falling 4–0 to Nigeria. In 1990, Liberia won its first FIFA qualifying match defeating Ghana to progress to the second round. Despite finishing second in their group, Liberia failed to advance to the final qualification round, ending two points behind group winners Egypt.

In 1998, Liberia beat Gambia in the first qualification round, but finished twelve points adrift of Tunisia in their group. In 2002, Liberia had their strongest qualifying campaign, however, a loss against Ghana in their penultimate group game gave Nigeria the opportunity to overtake them and secure the only qualification spot.

Team image

Kit supplier

Kit provider [2] Period
Flag of Denmark.svg Hummel 1990–1993
Flag of Italy.svg Diadora 1994–1995
Flag of Germany.svg Adidas 1996–1998
Flag of Liberia.svg Weah Sports1999–2001
Unknown2002
Flag of Germany.svg Adidas 2003–2004
Flag of Denmark.svg Hummel 2004–2006
Flag of Italy.svg Kappa 2006–2008
Flag of Germany.svg Adidas 2008
Flag of Singapore.svg Kubba 2009
Flag of Germany.svg Adidas 2010–2012
Flag of Italy.svg Erreà 2012
Flag of Indonesia.svg SPECS 2012–2013
Flag of Spain.svg Joma 2013–2014 [3]
Flag of Germany.svg Adidas 2015–2020
Flag of Germany.svg Puma 2021–present

Results and fixtures

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

2024

20 March AFCON 2025 qualification Djibouti  Flag of Djibouti.svg0–2Flag of Liberia.svg  Liberia Marrakech, Morocco
22:00  UTC+0 Report
Stadium: Stade de Marrakech
Referee: Mehrez Melki (Tunisia)
26 March AFCON 2025 qualification Liberia  Flag of Liberia.svg0–0
(2–0 agg.)
Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti Paynesville, Liberia
16:00  UTC+0 Report Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Referee: Karim Sabry (Morocco)
Note: Liberia won 2–0 on aggregate.
5 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Namibia  Flag of Namibia.svg1–1Flag of Liberia.svg  Liberia Johannesburg, South Africa
18:00  UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Orlando Stadium
Referee: Messie Jessie Oved Nkounkou Mvoutou (Congo)
6 September 2025 AFCON qualification Togo  Flag of Togo (3-2).svg1–1Flag of Liberia.svg  Liberia Lomé, Togo
16:00  UTC+0
Report
Stadium: Stade de Kégué
Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga (Malawi)
11 October 2025 AFCON qualification Equatorial Guinea  Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg1–0Flag of Liberia.svg  Liberia Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
14:00  UTC+1
Report Stadium: Estadio de Malabo
Referee: Ahmed Arajiga (Tanzania)
14 October 2025 AFCON qualification Liberia  Flag of Liberia.svg1–2Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea Monrovia, Liberia
16:00  UTC+0
Report
Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Referee: Brahamou Sadou Ali (Niger)
1 November 2024 African Nations Championship qualification Liberia  Flag of Liberia.svg1–1
(3-2 agg.)
Flag of Sierra Leone.svg  Sierra Leone Monrovia, Liberia
16:00  UTC+0
Report
Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Note: Liberia won 3–2 on aggregate.
13 November 2025 AFCON qualification Liberia  Flag of Liberia.svg1-0Flag of Togo (3-2).svg  Togo Monrovia, Liberia
15:00  UTC+0
Report Stadium: Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
Attendance: 8,543
Referee: Mohamed Athoumani (Comoros)
17 November 2025 AFCON qualification Algeria  Flag of Algeria.svg5–1Flag of Liberia.svg  Liberia Tizi Ouzou, Algeria
16:00  UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium
Referee: Tanguy Mebiame (Gabon)

Coaching staff

As of February 2024 [4]

PositionName
Head coach Flag of Romania.svg Mario Marinica
Assistant coach Flag of Liberia.svg Kelvin Sebwe
Assistant coach Flag of Liberia.svg Harold Gbotoe
Goalkeeping coach Flag of Liberia.svg Chris Wesseh
Fitness coach Flag of Liberia.svg Desmond Mulbah

Coaching history

Caretaker managers are listed in italics

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Togo and Equatorial Guinea on 6 and 9 September 2024. [5]

Caps and goals correct as of 9 September 2024, after the match against Equatorial Guinea.

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
1 GK Tommy Songo (1995-04-20) 20 April 1995 (age 29)230 Flag of Liberia.svg LISCR
1 GK Abdulai Koulibaly (1995-01-01) 1 January 1995 (age 30)70 Flag of Liberia.svg Global Pharma
1 GK Teddy Kollie (2005-11-10) 10 November 2005 (age 19)00 Flag of Liberia.svg Watanga

2 DF Sampson Dweh (2001-10-10) 10 October 2001 (age 23)280 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Viktoria Plzeň
2 DF Kemoh Kamara (1995-07-03) 3 July 1995 (age 29)200 Flag of Liberia.svg Bea Mountain
2 DF Sabastin Teclar (2000-02-28) 28 February 2000 (age 24)60 Flag of Liberia.svg LISCR
2 DF Natus Jamel Swen (2004-11-18) 18 November 2004 (age 20)50 Flag of Malta.svg Mġarr United
2 DF Philip Tarnue (2005-12-25) 25 December 2005 (age 19)30 Flag of Liberia.svg Watanga
2 DF Nelson Laomie (2005-04-04) 4 April 2005 (age 19)10 Flag of Liberia.svg Watanga
2 DF Musa Sesay (2007-02-08) 8 February 2007 (age 18)00 Flag of Liberia.svg LPRC Oilers

3 MF Oscar Dorley (captain) (1998-07-19) 19 July 1998 (age 26)423 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Slavia Prague
3 MF Mohammed Sangare (1998-12-28) 28 December 1998 (age 26)213 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Bellinzona
3 MF Divine Teah (2006-04-19) 19 April 2006 (age 18)142 Flag of Sweden.svg Hammarby
3 MF Nohan Kenneh (2003-01-10) 10 January 2003 (age 22)120 Flag of Scotland.svg Hibernian
3 MF Chauncy Freeman (2001-07-26) 26 July 2001 (age 23)60 Flag of Liberia.svg Watanga
3 MF Abdulai Bility (1999-09-08) 8 September 1999 (age 25)40 Flag of Liberia.svg Heaven Eleven
3 MF Lawrence Kumeh (2005-05-01) 1 May 2005 (age 19)40 Flag of Liberia.svg Paynesville
3 MF Sheku Sheriff (1999-09-17) 17 September 1999 (age 25)30 Flag of Liberia.svg LPRC Oilers
3 MF Quiah Sholee (1997-04-07) 7 April 1997 (age 27)10 Flag of Liberia.svg Invincible Eleven

4 FW Peter Wilson (1996-10-09) 9 October 1996 (age 28)162 Flag of Norway.svg Jerv
4 FW Terry Sackor (1993-04-01) 1 April 1993 (age 31)91 Flag of Liberia.svg Bea Mountain
4 FW William Gibson (2007-11-22) 22 November 2007 (age 17)61 Flag of Liberia.svg Heaven Eleven
4 FW Emmanuel Ernest (2000-12-30) 30 December 2000 (age 24)20 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Aarau
4 FW Emmanuel Seih (2006-10-11) 11 October 2006 (age 18)00 Flag of South Africa.svg TS Galaxy

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team in the last 12 months.

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GK Emmanuel Deanneh (1995-06-20) 20 June 1995 (age 29)10 Flag of Liberia.svg Bea Mountain v. Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti ; 26 March 2024
GK Ashley Williams (2000-10-30) 30 October 2000 (age 24)190 Flag of Liberia.svg LISCR v. Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea ; 20 November 2023
GK Boison Wynney (1996-12-27) 27 December 1996 (age 28)70 Flag of Romania.svg Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț v. Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea ; 20 November 2023

DF Mark Pabai (2000-09-30) 30 September 2000 (age 24)100 Flag of Slovenia.svg Koper v. Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg  São Tomé and Príncipe ; 9 June 2024
DF Joachim Adukor (1993-05-02) 2 May 1993 (age 31)60 Flag of Malta.svg Sliema Wanderers v. Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti ; 26 March 2024
DF Jamal Arago (1993-08-28) 28 August 1993 (age 31)110 Flag of Libya.svg Al-Ahly v. Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea ; 20 November 2023
DF Joel Johnson (1992-09-20) 20 September 1992 (age 32)100 Flag of the United States.svg Charlotte Independence v. Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea ; 20 November 2023
DF Seth Hellberg (1995-08-19) 19 August 1995 (age 29)120 Flag of Sweden.svg Brage v. Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco , 17 October 2023

MF Sheikh Sesay (2002-10-24) 24 October 2002 (age 22)11 Flag of Botswana.svg Gaborone United v. Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg  São Tomé and Príncipe ; 9 June 2024
MF Marcus Macauley (1991-10-27) 27 October 1991 (age 33)285 Flag of Malaysia.svg PDRM v. Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti ; 26 March 2024
MF Edward Ledlum (1999-06-15) 15 June 1999 (age 25)100 Flag of Liberia.svg Bea Mountain v. Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti ; 26 March 2024
MF Tonia Tisdell (1992-01-02) 2 January 1992 (age 33)181 Flag of Egypt.svg Telecom Egypt v. Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea ; 20 November 2023
MF Brem Soumaoro (1996-08-08) 8 August 1996 (age 28)120 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg York United FC v. Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea ; 20 November 2023
MF Albert Korvah (1999-02-02) 2 February 1999 (age 26)50 Flag of Nigeria.svg Rivers United v. Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea ; 20 November 2023
MF Mohammed Kamara (1997-10-31) 31 October 1997 (age 27)41 Flag of Israel.svg Hapoel Haifa v. Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea ; 20 November 2023
MF Prince Saydee (1996-02-20) 20 February 1996 (age 29)30 Flag of the United States.svg Hartford Athletic v. Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea ; 20 November 2023
MF Saah Moses Jr. (2007-07-10) 10 July 2007 (age 17)20 Flag of Liberia.svg Discoveries SA v. Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea ; 20 November 2023

FW William Jebor (1991-11-10) 10 November 1991 (age 33)2713 Flag of Iraq.svg Al-Minaa v. Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea ; 20 November 2023
FW Kpah Sherman (1992-02-03) 3 February 1992 (age 33)223 Flag of Malaysia.svg Pahang v. Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea ; 20 November 2023
FW Sylvanus Nimely (1998-09-04) 4 September 1998 (age 26)120 Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Surkhon v. Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea ; 20 November 2023
FW Abu Kamara (1997-04-01) 1 April 1997 (age 27)90 Flag of Malaysia.svg Kuching City v. Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco , 17 October 2023

Records

As of 14 October 2024 [6]
Players in bold are still active with Liberia.

Most appearances

RankNameCapsGoalsCareer
1 Joe Nagbe [a] 7701986–2011
2 George Weah [b] 75181986–2018
3 Kelvin Sebwe 62101988–2008
4 James Debbah [c] 58131986–2018
5 George Gebro 4811997–2012
6 Anthony Laffor 4652004–2018
7 Teah Dennis Jr. 4412011–2019
Oscar Dorley 4432015–present
9 Varmah Kpoto 4011997–2008
10 Fallah Johnson 3701995–2004
Zizi Roberts 3791995–2003

Top goalscorers

George Weah is Liberia's top scorer with 18 goals. Coppa UEFA 1992-93 - Napoli vs PSG - George Weah.jpg
George Weah is Liberia's top scorer with 18 goals.
RankNameGoalsCapsRatioCareer
1 George Weah [b] 18750.241986–2018
2 William Jebor 13270.482011–present
James Debbah [c] 13580.221986–2018
4 Kelvin Sebwe 10620.161988–2008
5 Zizi Roberts 9370.241995–2003
6 Oliver Makor 8320.251995–2008
7 Prince Daye 7250.281996–2004
Jonathan Sogbie 7270.261988–1998
9 Zah Rahan 6350.172006–2017
10 Francis Doe 5220.232004–2016
Isaac Tondo 5220.232000–2005
Dioh Williams 5240.212004–2016
Marcus Macauley 5280.182011–present
Anthony Laffor 5460.112004–2018

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
YearRoundPositionPldWDLGFGAPldWDLGFGA
Flag of Uruguay.svg 1930 to Flag of Chile.svg 1962 Not a FIFA memberNot a FIFA member
Flag of England.svg 1966 WithdrewWithdrew
Flag of Mexico.svg 1970 to Flag of Argentina.svg 1978 Did not enterDeclined participation
Flag of Spain.svg 1982 Did not qualify201101
Flag of Mexico.svg 1986 200204
Flag of Italy.svg 1990 833243
Flag of the United States.svg 1994 Withdrew during qualifying201124
Flag of France (lighter variant).svg 1998 Did not qualify8215712
Flag of South Korea (1997-2011).svg Flag of Japan.svg 2002 10613112
Flag of Germany.svg 2006 12219629
Flag of South Africa.svg 2010 6033412
Flag of Brazil.svg 2014 611439
Flag of Russia.svg 2018 411246
Flag of Qatar.svg 2022 8305810
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of Mexico.svg Flag of the United States.svg 2026 To be determined421152
Flag of Morocco.svg Flag of Portugal.svg Flag of Spain.svg 2030 To be determined
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg 2034
Total0/15722014385494

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record
Appearances: 2
YearRoundPositionPldWDLGFGA
Flag of Sudan (1956-1970).svg 1957 Not affiliated to CAF
Flag of the United Arab Republic.svg 1959
Flag of Ethiopia (1897-1936; 1941-1974).svg 1962
Flag of Ghana.svg 1963 Did not enter
Flag of Tunisia (1959-1999).svg 1965 Did not qualify
Flag of Ethiopia (1897-1936; 1941-1974).svg 1968
Flag of Sudan (1956-1970).svg 1970 Did not enter
Flag of Cameroon (1961-1975).svg 1972
Flag of Egypt (1972-1984).svg 1974
Flag of Ethiopia (1975-1987).svg 1976 Did not qualify
Flag of Ghana.svg 1978 Did not enter
Flag of Nigeria.svg 1980
Flag of Libya (1977-2011).svg 1982 Did not qualify
Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg 1984 Withdrew
Flag of Egypt.svg 1986 Did not qualify
Flag of Morocco.svg 1988
Flag of Algeria.svg 1990
Flag of Senegal.svg 1992 Withdrew
Flag of Tunisia (1959-1999).svg 1994 Did not qualify
Flag of South Africa.svg 1996 Group stage13th210123
Flag of Burkina Faso.svg 1998 Did not qualify
Flag of Ghana.svg Flag of Nigeria.svg 2000
Flag of Mali.svg 2002 Group stage9th302134
Flag of Tunisia.svg 2004 Did not qualify
Flag of Egypt.svg 2006
Flag of Ghana.svg 2008
Flag of Angola.svg 2010
Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg Flag of Gabon.svg 2012
Flag of South Africa.svg 2013
Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg 2015
Flag of Gabon.svg 2017
Flag of Egypt.svg 2019
Flag of Cameroon.svg 2021
Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg 2023
Flag of Morocco.svg 2025
Flag of Kenya.svg Flag of Tanzania.svg Flag of Uganda.svg 2027 To be determined
TotalGroup stage2/34512257

Honors

Regional

Notes

  1. Nagbe retired from international duty in 2001 but later played two farewell matches in 2011.
  2. 1 2 Weah retired from international duty in 2002 but later played a farewell match in 2018.
  3. 1 2 Debbah retired from international duty in 2004 but later played a farewell match in 2018.

References

  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. December 19, 2024. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  2. "Liberia Kit History". Football Kit Archive. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  3. Molaposc (July 21, 2014). "Molapo Sports Centre: A good win for Lesotho, but there is still work to do". Molapo Sports Centre. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  4. "Liberia Football Association LFA Unveils Marinica as men's senior national team head coach". Facebook. Liberia Football Association. February 19, 2024.
  5. "Squad List". Instagram. Liberian FA.
  6. "Liberia". National Football Teams.