View source for Lebanon national rugby league team

{{Short description|Representative side of Lebanon in rugby league football}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox rugby league representative team
| Name = Lebanon 
| Badge = Lebanon National RL.png
| Badge_size = 150px
| Nickname = The Cedars
| Governing body = [[Lebanese Rugby League Federation]]
| Region = [[Rugby League European Federation|Europe]]
| Coach = [[Michael Cheika]]
| Captain = [[Mitchell Moses]]
| Home Stadium = [[International Olympic Stadium]]<br>[[Beirut Municipal Stadium]]
| RLIF Rank = 9
| Most caps = [[Christopher Salem]] (19)
| Top try-scorer = Christopher Salem (15)
| Top point-scorer = [[Hazem El Masri]] (196)
| pattern_la1=_whitelower
| pattern_b1=_whiteredstriped_sides
| pattern_ra1=_whitelower
| pattern_so1=_white_hoops
| leftarm1=FF0000
| body1=008B8B
| rightarm1=FF0000
| shorts1=FFFFFF
| socks1=008B8B
| First international= {{rl|Japan}} 28 – 52 {{rl-rt|Lebanon}}<br/>(Tokyo, Japan; 1998)
| Largest win = {{rl|Morocco}} 0 – 104 {{rl-rt|Lebanon}}<br/>([[Carcassonne]], France; 1999)
| Largest loss = {{rl|Russia}} 80 – 0 {{rl-rt|Lebanon}}<br/>(Moscow, Russia; 28 September 2008)
| World cup apps = 3
| World cup first = 2000
| World cup best = ''Quarterfinals'' ([[2017 Rugby League World Cup|2017]])
|}}

The '''Lebanon national rugby league team''' ({{langx|ar|المنتخب اللبناني للرجبي ليغ}}, {{langx|fr|Équipe du Liban de rugby à XIII}}) represents [[Lebanon]] in [[rugby league]] football. Nicknamed "the Cedars" after the [[Cedrus libani|Lebanese cedar]] tree, the team was formed by [[Lebanese Australians]] in 1997 and have been administered by the [[Lebanese Rugby League Federation]] since 2002.

The Cedars have competed at three [[Rugby League World Cup]]s ([[2000 Rugby League World Cup|2000]], [[2017 Rugby League World Cup|2017]], [[2021 Rugby League World Cup|2021)]] achieving their best result as quarter-finalists at the latter two. The team's World Cup history has been defined by close losses and unfavourable draws. They were eliminated in 2000 following a 24–22 loss to {{rlnt|Wales}} and a 22–22 draw with the {{rlnt|Cook Islands}}, and knocked-out in 2017 by a 24–22 loss to a much stronger {{rlnt|Tonga}}n team. Lebanon's two unsuccessful qualifying attempts for the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|2008]] and  [[2013 Rugby League World Cup|2013 tournaments]] were both decided by [[points difference]] after drawing with {{rlnt|Ireland}} in 2006 and again in 2007, and {{rlnt|Italy}} in 2011.

The current head coach is Australian [[Michael Cheika]], who was appointed in October 2020.<ref name=Cheika />

==History==
{{cleanup-PR|section|date=June 2019}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2015}}
A team consisting of Lebanese Australians represented Lebanon at the 1997 [[Rugby League World Sevens]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Bazeley|first=Marc|date=1 January 2021|title=The ties that bind: Lebanon, rugby league and links to Australia|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/12166571/the-ties-that-bind-lebanon-rugby-league-and-links-to-australia|publisher=Sky Sports|accessdate=31 March 2021}}</ref> 

===2000 World Cup===
Lebanon was placed in the Mediterranean Pool for qualification to the [[2000 Rugby League World Cup|2000 World Cup]]. In their first game they defeated [[Italy national rugby league team|Italy]] 36–16, and then defeated [[Morocco national rugby league team|Morocco]] 104–0. In this match, captain Hazem El Masri scored a total of 48 points, the highest number of points ever scored by one player in an international match. To qualify they had to beat the Pacific Rim Pool winners, the USA. They won 62–8 and secured the final place in the World Cup. Following the match the team were warned about their conduct after a car-park fight which resulted in American winger [[Tony Fabri]] being taken to hospital.<ref>{{Cite news 
  | last = Hadfield
  | first = Dave
  | title = Lebanese rugby league team in storm over funny substances
  | work = [[The Independent]]
  | date = 24 October 2000
  | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/lebanese-rugby-league-team-in-storm-over-funny-substances-636051.html
  | access-date = 20 February 2011
  | location=London}}</ref>

The Cedars were in a pool with favourites [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]], [[Wales national rugby league team|Wales]] and Cook Islands. The team were well beaten against New Zealand in [[Gloucester]]. Head coach [[John Elias (rugby league)|John Elias]] said after the game that his team were simply out of their depth. However Lebanon did much better in the match against Wales. It wasn't until Wales had scored four tries that Lebanon had finally got on the score board with a Michael Coorey try in the 35th minute. In the second half Lebanon performed much better, but two late [[Hassan Saleh]] tries left Lebanon losing 24–22. By far the easiest game on paper was the match against the Cook Islands. With just five minutes remaining though, The Cedars found themselves 22–10 down, before Hazem El Masri scored a second try and centre Charles Baynie scored one too in last minute to seal a 22–22 draw for Lebanon. This point was enough to keep them off bottom place in the group, but they had not done enough to earn a place in the quarter-finals.

In 2002, Lebanon beat [[France national rugby league team|France]] 36–6 in front of 16,713 spectators at [[Tripoli, Lebanon|Tripoli]] to clinch the [[Mediterranean Cup]] for a second time.<ref>{{Cite news 
  | last = Mascord
  | first = Steve
  | title = El Magic helps spread word to the Middle East
  | work = [[The Sydney Morning Herald]]
  | place = Australia
  | publisher = Fairfax
  | date = 4 November 2002
  | url = http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/03/1036308205413.html
  | access-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref> In 2003 played host to another Mediterranean Cup with Lebanon beating France again in final, albeit this was a much closer match at 26–18 with [[Wissam El Masri]] only fully securing the win in the last minute. In the final Mediterranean Cup in 2004, Lebanon made it three victories in a row. Just like last year's cup, they easily beat [[Morocco national rugby league team|Morocco]] and [[Serbia national rugby league team|Serbia]] to face the French in the final again. France trailed 30–8 at half time but in the second half it was a much tighter affair with [[Toufiq Nicolas]] and a third [[Ahmed Al Masri]] try finally sealing a 42–14 victory for Lebanon despite a late consolation try for France. It is also worth noting that a young [[Thomas Bosc]] featured in that match for France. He would then go on to play in the [[2007 Challenge Cup Final]].{{fact|date=December 2023}}

===2008 World Cup qualifying===
Despite wanting to host another Mediterranean Cup in 2005, Lebanon did not play another international until November 2006. With a place in the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|2008 World Cup]] up for grabs, Lebanon were drawn in a group with [[Russia national rugby league team|Russia]] and [[Ireland national rugby league team|Ireland]]. In Darren Maroon's first match as head coach, Lebanon beat Russia 22–8 in a tight and tense match at the [[White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre|New River Stadium]] in [[North London]]. Ireland however had already thrashed Russia beforehand and so Lebanon needed to beat Ireland in Dublin to go top of the table. Centre [[Daniel Chiha]] crossed over the line after 13 minutes, but the conversion was missed. [[John Koborsi]] then extended the lead for Lebanon and the team went into half time 0–10 up. However within 6 minutes after half-time, Ireland had scored two tries and they were now in front. A little later [[Chris Salem]] then intercepted a ball near his own line and ran the whole length of the pitch to score a spectacular try. This lead didn't last though and in the last minutes of the game Ireland scored a try to end the game 18–18. In 2007 the World Cup qualifying matches continued. In October the team travelled to Moscow and put nine-tries past Russia to win 0–48.  Because Ireland had a significantly better points difference then Lebanon, The Cedars needed a win to qualify, a draw or a narrow defeat was simply not good enough. At the end of the Russia match, despite the easy victory, Darren Maroon said that the team must make big improvements if they were to beat the Irish. Due to the volatile situation in Lebanon, The Cedars had to play their "home tie" in [[Dewsbury]], England. A [[George Ndaira]] try in the first half meant that Lebanon went into half time on the wrong end of a 12–4 scoreline. Chris Salem immediately scored a try after the interval though and Lebanon were back in the game. In the 63rd minute prop [[Charlie Nohra]] was sent off, leaving Lebanon with 12 men and a huge upward struggle. [[Frank Samia]] scored a converted try near the end of the match and so Lebanon were ahead for the first time in the match. In the last minute the two points were taken away as a high-tackle gave Ireland a penalty which they scored to end the game 16–16. Lebanon had not done enough to secure a place in the World Cup.{{fact|date=December 2023}}

But because they had finished, they went into a repechage match with three other teams, Wales, USA and Samoa. They faced Wales first and won that match in [[Widnes]], England. In took a long time for Lebanon too actually take the lead for the first time in the match, but in the second half Lebanon were much stronger than Wales and eventually posted nine tries, including three by Chris Salem, against Wales' five. This victory also meant that Lebanon had extended their unbeaten streak to 13 matches, and in doing so beating Australia's record of 12 unbeaten matches from 1999 to 2001. Samoa had beaten the US in the other match and so Lebanon and Samoa faced each other in [[Featherstone]], England for the tenth and final place in the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|2008 World Cup]]. Samoa had a lot of the possession during the match and were noticeably physically larger. Samoa went into half time with a 28–8 lead despite a [[George Ndaira]] try for Lebanon on the 18th minute and an [[Adnan Saleh]] try very near to half-time. Two more tries in the second half were not enough for Lebanon and they lost the match 16–38,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,22762994-5003409,00.html | agency=AAP | title=Samoa beats Lebanon to be last team in league world cup | date=14 November 2007}}</ref> scoring four tries but converting none of them.{{fact|date=December 2023}}

===2013 World Cup Qualifying===
Lebanon were drawn against [[Serbia national rugby league team|Serbia]], [[Italy national rugby league team|Italy]] and [[Russia national rugby league team|Russia]] in the qualifying group for the [[2013 Rugby League World Cup]], with the winners of the group progressing to the final tournament. Following comfortable victories over Serbia and Russia, Lebanon set up a winner-takes-all match against Italy in [[Belgrade]] on 29 October. The game finished in a draw with the score at 19–19, which meant that Italy qualified for the World Cup ahead of Lebanon based on points difference. This is the second time in a row that Lebanon have failed to qualify for the World Cup despite not losing a game in the qualifiers.{{fact|date=December 2023}}

===Return to the World Cup, player disputes (2015–19)===
The Middle East-Africa region was allocated one slot for the [[2017 Rugby League World Cup]]. The [[2017 Rugby League World Cup qualification (Middle East-Africa play-off)|qualifying tournament]] was held in October 2015 in [[Pretoria]] as a two-match series between Lebanon and {{rlnt|South Africa}}. [[Travis Robinson]] scored [[hat-tricks]] in both matches as Lebanon qualified comfortably with an [[aggregate score]] of 90–28.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brady|first=Jack|date=14 November 2015|title=Lebanon's successes built on proud heritage|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2015/11/14/lebanons-successes-built-on-proud-heritage/|website=NRL.com|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref>

The Cedars were coached by [[Brad Fittler]] and captained by [[Robbie Farah]] at the 2017 World Cup.<ref>{{cite web|date=12 October 2017|title=Lebanon announce World Cup squad|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/10/12/lebanon-announce-world-cup-squad/|website=NRL.com|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref> [[Ivan Cleary]] was initially announced as head coach,<ref>{{cite web|date=21 January 2017|title=Ivan Cleary appointed Lebanon head coach|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/01/21/ivan-cleary-appointed-lebanon-head-coach/|website=NRL.com|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref> but resigned after taking the head coach position at the [[Wests Tigers]] in April 2017.<ref>{{cite web|date=25 April 2017|title=Ivan Cleary stands down from Lebanon national coaching role|url=https://europeanrugbyleague.com/index.php/articles/1411/ivan-cleary-stands-down-from-lebanon-national-coaching-role|work=European Rugby League|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref> He was replaced by Fittler.<ref>{{cite web|date=9 June 2017|title=Brad Fittler announced as Lebanon coach|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/06/09/brad-fittler-announced-as-lebanon-coach/|website=NRL.com|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref> Lebanon competed in [[2017 Rugby League World Cup Group A|Group A]], defeating {{rlnt|France}} 29–18 in a close match,<ref>{{cite web|date=29 October 2017|title=Mitchell Moses guides Lebanon to historic victory|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/world-cup/rugby-league-world-cup-2017-france-v-lebanon-live-score-result-blog-news/news-story/a0e0631c339cebaa15db736b2fdfc56e|work=Fox Sports|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref> losing 29–10 to {{rlnt|England}},<ref>{{cite web|last=Jurejko|first=Jonathan|date=4 November 2017|title=Rugby League World Cup: England 29-10 Lebanon|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/41869507|work=BBC|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref> and holding onto for a commendable 34–0 loss to  tournament favourites {{rlnt|Australia}}. Notably, Lebanon kept the score to 10–0 until the 50th minute<ref>{{cite web|last=Proszenko|first=Adrian|date=11 November 2017|title=Australia brush aside Lebanon to remain undefeated|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/rugby-league-world-cup-2017-australia-brush-aside-lebanon-to-remain-undefeated-20171111-gzjfx5.html|url-access=limited|work=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=30 March 2021}}</ref> and 22–0 until the 76th minute.<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Tony|date=14 November 2017|title=Luke Burt backs Lebanon's 'toughness' against Tonga in Rugby League World Cup quarterfinal|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/98884742/luke-burt-backs-lebanons-toughness-against-tonga-in-rugby-league-world-cup-quarterfinal|work=Stuff|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> In the quarter-final, Lebanon came close to upsetting {{rlnt|Tonga}}, remaining within one try for most of the match, but ultimately lost 24–22.<ref>{{cite web|last=Glover|first=Ben|date=18 November 2017|title=Lebanon give Tonga huge fright in sensational quarter final as Mate Ma’a advance|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/live-rugby-legaue-world-cup-2017-blog-tonga-v-lebanon-quarter-final/news-story/4d969c6d61a4d8327e7b0c0de876681f|work=Fox Sports|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref> Lebanon's progression to the quarter-finals earned them automatic qualification for the [[2021 Rugby League World Cup|next World Cup in 2021]].{{fact|date=December 2023}}

Lebanon's planned test match against {{rlnt|Papua New Guinea}} in June 2018 was cancelled following reports of a player boycott.<ref name=MichaelMaguire /> [[Chris Saab]] and Michael Hedwan notified the [[Lebanese Rugby League Federation|LRLF]] of the boycott, alleging that the team was underfunded and unsupported by the administration during the World Cup. Fittler, who had since been appointed head coach of the [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] [[State of Origin series|State of Origin]] team, supported the boycott.<ref>{{cite web|last=Proszenko|first=Adrian|date=24 March 2018|title=Lebanon players to boycott internationals over World Cup management|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/lebanon-players-to-boycott-internationals-over-world-cup-management-20180324-p4z629.html|url-access=limited|work=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> The LRLF refuted all claims of economic mismanagement<ref>{{cite web|date=24 March 2018|title=LRLF Federation press release|url=https://lebanonrl.com/News/48365187233|website=lebanonrl.com|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> and also denied the existence of a squad-wide boycott.<ref>{{cite web|date=12 April 2018|title=LRLF statement following internal investigation into story of player boycott|url=https://lebanonrl.com/News/49565207175|website=lebanonrl.com|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> The LRLF cited a loss of sponsorship due to negative publicity as the reason for withdrawing from the match.<ref>{{cite web|date=6 May 2018|title=LRLF withdraw from mid-season Test|url=https://lebanonrl.com/News/92715228026|website=lebanonrl.com|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> [[Michael Maguire (rugby league)|Michael Maguire]] reportedly walked away from negotiations to coach the team during this period.<ref name=MichaelMaguire>{{cite web|last=Proszenko|first=Adrian|date=4 April 2018|title=Michael Maguire bypasses Lebanon coaching job following Test boycott|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/michael-maguire-bypasses-lebanon-coaching-job-following-test-boycott-20180404-p4z7ra.html|url-access=limited|work=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref>

[[Rick Stone]] was appointed head coach ahead of the Cedars' June 2019 match against {{rlnt|Fiji}}.<ref>{{cite web|date=26 April 2019|title=Lebanon appoint Rick Stone as Head Coach|url=https://www.rlwc2021.com/article/130/lebanon-appoint-rick-stone-as-head-coach|website=rlwc2021.com|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> The lead-up to the game was impacted by continued player unrest, with many members of the playing squad choosing to cover the LRLF's logo at training and during media appearances. Concerns about the state of the [[rugby league in Lebanon|domestic competition in Lebanon]], which could jeopardise the team's eligibility to compete at the next World Cup, was stated to be the motivating factor.<ref>{{cite web|last=Carayannis|first=Michael|date=15 June 2019|title=Lebanon players will take strike action|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/lebanon-players-take-extraordinary-strike-action-in-dispute-with-lebanese-rugby-league/news-story/a58cd1debc32aba58a0bf303cf608775|url-access=subscription|work=Daily Telegraph|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> The LRLF claimed that covering their logo consititued a criminal offence under Lebanese law.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rayson|first=Zac|date=19 June 2019|title=Lebanon rugby league protest: Players threatened with prosecution|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/lebanon-rugby-league-protest-players-threatened-with-prosecution/news-story/215c8bd7a79e391848b478b687200374|work=Fox Sports|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> Although mediation ensured that no players concealed the logo during the match,<ref>{{cite web|date=21 June 2019|title=Lebanon coach Stone eyeing familiar foe|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/lebanon-coach-stone-eyeing-familiar-foe|work=SBS|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> in which Lebanon were outclassed by Fiji 58–14,<ref>{{cite web|last=Newton|first=Alicia|date=22 June 2019|title=Sivo and Suli all class as Fijians outclass Cedars|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/06/22/sivo-and-suli-fire-as-fijians-outclass-cedars/|website=NRL.com|access-date=16 April 2021}}</ref> misconduct charges for sixteen players were subsequently announced by the LRLF.<ref>{{cite web|date=1 July 2019|title=Lebanese Rugby League Federation suspends 17 players|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/07/01/lebanese-rugby-league-federation-suspends-entire-team/|website=NRL.com|access-date=17 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Smale|first=Simon|date=1 July 2019|title=Lebanon Rugby League Federation bans 17 national team players over Pacific Test protest|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-01/lebanon-rugby-league-federation-bans-nrl-players-over-protest/11267864|work=ABC|access-date=17 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=1 July 2019|title=LRLF apology|url=https://lebanonrl.com/News/69125466302|website=lebanonrl.com|access-date=17 April 2021}}</ref>

Lebanon's participation in the [[2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s]] in October 2019 was allegedly in doubt due to reports that several high-profile players would withdraw from the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bailey|first=Scott|date=1 October 2019|title=No stars, no dice: Lebanon could be turfed from World Cup Nines|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/no-stars-no-dice-lebanon-could-be-turfed-from-world-cup-nines/news-story/957ebc423cacc0f6f0898ae3cb49a691|work=Fox Sports|access-date=22 August 2023}}</ref>

===2021 World Cup===
Lebanon automatically qualified for the [[2021 Rugby League World Cup]] in [[England]] having reached the quarter finals of the previous [[Rugby League World Cup]]. [[Michael Cheika]] was announced as head coach in October 2020.<ref name=Cheika>{{cite web|last=Polychronis|first=Jacob|date=20 November 2020|title=Cheika back in rugby league with ‘unbelievable’ head coaching role|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-2020-michael-cheika-to-coach-lebanon-at-rugby-league-world-cup-2021-wallabies-argentina-trinations/news-story/02388f59a2233fb1549352b9154a74e5|work=Fox Sports|access-date=31 March 2021}}</ref>

At [[2021 Rugby League World Cup]], the cedars competed in Group C of the tournament. Two wins against [[Ireland national rugby league team|Ireland]]<ref name=LBN_IE_WC22>{{cite web|last=McEvoy|first=Milly|date=23 October 2022|title=Lebanon up and running with win over Ireland|url=https://www.rlwc2021.com/article/652/lebanon-up-and-running-with-win-over-irelandand|publisher=www.rlwc2021.com|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> and [[Jamaica national rugby league team|Jamaica]]<ref name=LBN_JM_WC22>{{cite web|last=McEvoy|first=Milly|date=30 October 2022|title=Lebanon 74-12 Jamaica: Mansour hat-trick books quarter-final with Australia|url=https://www.rlwc2021.com/article/717/lebanon-74-12-jamaica-mansour-hat-trick-books-quarter-final-with-australia|publisher=www.rlwc2021.com|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> and one loss against [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]]<ref name=LBN_NZ_WC22>{{cite web|last=McEvoy|first=Milly|date=16 October 2022|title=New Zealand 34-12 Lebanon: Manu magic seals deal for Kiwis|url=https://www.rlwc2021.com/article/579/new-zealand-34-12-lebanon-manu-magic-seals-deal-for-kiwis|publisher=www.rlwc2021.com|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> book Lebanon a quarter-final match against [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]]. Unfortunately, the loss to [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] in the quarter-final stopped Lebanon from advancing to the Semi-final in that tournament.<ref name=LBN_AUS_WC22>{{cite web|last=Lacey-Hatton|first=Jack|date=4 November 2022|title=Australia 48-4 Lebanon: Flying Foxx scores five as Kangaroos make semis|url=https://www.rlwc2021.com/article/797/australia-48-4-lebanon-flying-foxx-scores-five-as-kangaroos-make-semis|publisher=www.rlwc2021.com|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> However, their run to the quarter-final also ensured the cedars qualification for the next [[Rugby League World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.intrl.sport/news/irl-membership-ireland-italy-lebanon-scotland-reclassified/ |title=IRL membership: Ireland, Italy, Lebanon, Scotland reclassified |website=International Rugby League |date=15 March 2024 |access-date=15 March 2024}}</ref>

<!--
==Current squad==
-->

==Current squad==
For the [[2021 Rugby League World Cup]].

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:60%;text-align:left"
|-
!width=28%|Player
!width=2%|Caps
!width=2%|Points
!width=46%|Club
|-
|{{sortname|Jalal|Bazzaz}}||5||0||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Western Suburbs Red Devils]]
|-
|{{sortname|Adam|Doueihi}}||7||8||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers|15}} [[Wests Tigers]]
|-
|{{sortname|Hanna|El-Nachar}}||1||0||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Penrith Panthers|15}} [[Penrith Panthers]]
|-
|{{sortname|Toufic|El Hajj}}||2||0||{{flagicon|LBN}} [[American University of Beirut]]
|-
|{{sortname|Elie|El-Zakhem}}||5||4||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Parramatta Eels|15}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
|-
|{{sortname|Atef|Hamdan}}||0||0||{{flagicon|LBN}} [[Wolves RLFC|Wolves]]
|-
|{{sortname|Kayne|Kalache}}||4||0||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Newtown Jets|15}} [[Newtown Jets]]
|-
|{{sortname|Andrew|Kazzi}}||8||4||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Western Suburbs Magpies|15}} [[Western Suburbs Magpies]]
|-
|{{sortname|Jacob|Kiraz}}||5||12||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Canterbury Bulldogs|15}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]
|-
|{{sortname|Bilal|Maarbani}}||4||16||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles]]
|-
|{{sortname|Anthony|Layoun}}||6||4||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[St Marys Saints]]
|-
|{{sortname|Josh|Mansour}}||7||20||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|South Sydney Rabbitohs|15}} [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
|-
|{{sortname|Josh|Maree}}||2||0||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Wentworthville United]]
|-
|{{sortname|Tony|Maroun}}||1||4||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Ryde-Eastwood Hawks]]
|-
|{{sortname|Abbas|Miski}}||13||72||{{flagicon|ENG}} {{leagueicon|Wigan Warriors|15}} [[Wigan Warriors]]
|-
|{{sortname|Brad|Morkos}}||4||4||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Canberra Raiders|15}} [[Canberra Raiders]]
|-
|{{sortname|Mitchell|Moses}}||8||51||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Parramatta Eels|15}} [[Parramatta Eels]]
|-
|{{sortname|Jaxson|Rahme}}||3||0||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|South Sydney Rabbitohs|15}} [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]
|-
|{{sortname|Khalil|Rahme}}||5||4||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Mount Pritchard Mounties]]
|-
|{{sortname|Khaled|Rajab}}||3||4||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Canterbury Bulldogs|15}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]]
|-
|{{sortname|Reece|Robinson}}||9||36||''[[Unattached]]''
|-
|{{sortname|James|Roumanos}}||5||0||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Manly Sea Eagles|15}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
|-
|{{sortname|Mikey|Tannous}}||4||4||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers|15}} [[Wests Tigers]]
|-
|{{sortname|Charbel|Tasipale}}||4||8||{{flagicon|AUS}} {{leagueicon|Newtown Jets|15}} [[Newtown Jets]]
|}

==Competitive record==
{{main|Lebanon national rugby league team match results}}

Lebanon has been participating in International fixtures since 1998 and has played 51 games since then to the end of the [[2017 Rugby League World Cup|2017 World Cup]] group stage, at an average of three games per year.  Most of Lebanon's games have been played as friendlies or as part of the [[Mediterranean Cup]] which has taken place sporadically from 1999, with Lebanon winning all 5 tournaments that have been held. The team remains mostly composed of players of Lebanese ancestry from Australia.

Lebanon have a 63.46% win record, holding impressive records against a number of more experienced teams such as [[France national rugby league team|France]] whom they hold an 80% win record from 5 games and a 75% win record against [[Italy national rugby league team|Italy]] whom they have played 8 times.  Lebanon have played the 'big three' teams of [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]], [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] and [[England national rugby league team|England]] once each, losing each time, the losses against Australia and England coming in the group stage of the 2017 World Cup.

Over the 22 years of Lebanon's existence, Lebanon has played 21 different countries, playing Italy the most with 8 matches between the two sides. 

The following table underneath shows Lebanon's all-time rugby league results record up to date as of 24 December 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Head to Head |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/teams/lebanon/head2head.html |website=Rugby League Project |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref> They have been participating in International fixtures since 1998.

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! style="width:150px;"|Country
!width="80"|Played
!width="70"|Won
!width="70"|Drawn
!width="70"|Lost
!width="70"|Win %
!width="70"|For
!width="70"|Against
!width="70"|Pts difference
|-
| {{rl|Australia}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0% || 0 || 34 || –34
|-
| {{rl|Canada}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0% || 18 || 36 ||–18
|-
| {{rl|Cook Islands}} || 3 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 0% || 66 || 80 ||–14
|-
| {{rl|England}} || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0% || 10 || 29 || –19
|-
| {{rl|France}}† || 5 || 4 || 0 || 1 || 80.00% || 157 || 94 || +63
|-
| {{rl|Fiji}} || 4 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 50.00% || 118 || 118 || 0
|-
| {{rl|Ireland}}|| 3 || 1|| 2 || 0 || 33.33% || 74 || 50 || +24
|-
| {{rl|Italy}}|| 8 || 6 || 1 || 1 || 75.00% || 229 || 99 || +130
|-
| {{rl|Japan}}|| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100% || 52 || 28 || +24
|-
| {{rl|Malta}}|| 4 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 100% || 94 ||30 || +64
|-
| {{rl|Morocco}}|| 4 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 100% || 242 || 40 || +202
|-
| {{rl|New Zealand}}|| 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0% || 0 || 64 ||–64
|-
| {{rl|Niue}}|| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100% || 32 || 16 || +16
|-
| {{rl|Russia}}|| 4 || 3 || 0 || 1 || 75% || 102 || 88 || +14
|-
| {{rl|Samoa}}|| 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0% || 16 || 38 || –22
|-
| {{rl|Scotland}}|| 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0% || 10 || 22 || –12
|-
| {{rl|Serbia}}|| 4 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 100% || 282 || 24 || +258
|-
| {{rl|South Africa}}|| 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 100% || 90 || 28 ||+62
|-
| {{rl|Tonga}}|| 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0% || 22 || 24 ||–2
|-
| {{rl|USA}}|| 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100% || 62 || 8 || +54
|-
| {{rl|Wales}} || 2 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 50% || 72 || 50 || +22
|-
| '''Total''' || '''52''' || '''33'''  || '''4''' || '''15''' || '''{{#expr:33/52*100 round 2}}%''' || '''1748''' || '''1000''' || '''+748'''
|}
†Includes matches played against the France Espoirs side.<ref>{{cite web |title=Head to Head |url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/teams/france-espoirs/head2head.html |website=Rugby League Project |access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref>

===World Cup Record===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!colspan=9|[[Rugby League World Cup|World Cup Record]]
|-
!Year
!Round
!Position
!{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
!Win
!Draw
!Loss
|-
|{{flagicon|France}} [[1954 Rugby League World Cup|1954]]
|rowspan=11 colspan=11|''did not enter''
|-
|{{flagicon|Australia}} [[1957 Rugby League World Cup|1957]]
|-
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[1960 Rugby League World Cup|1960]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[1968 Rugby League World Cup|1968]]
|-
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[1970 Rugby League World Cup|1970]]
|-
|{{flagicon|France}} [[1972 Rugby League World Cup|1972]]
|-
|{{flagicon|AUS}}{{flagicon|FRA}}{{flagicon|NZL}}{{flagicon|UK}} [[1975 Rugby League World Cup|1975]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[1977 Rugby League World Cup|1977]]
|-
|[[1985-88 Rugby League World Cup|1985-88]]
|-
|[[1989-1992 Rugby League World Cup|1989-92]]
|-
|{{flagicon|England}} [[1995 Rugby League World Cup|1995]]
|-
|{{flagicon|England}} 
{{flagicon|France}}{{flagicon|Ireland|rugby league}} {{flagicon|Scotland}}{{flagicon|Wales}} [[2000 Rugby League World Cup|2000]]
|Group stage
|14/16
|3
|0
|1
|2
|-
|{{flagicon|Australia}} [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|2008]]
|rowspan=2 colspan=11|''did not qualify''
|-
|{{flagicon|England}} {{flagicon|Wales}} [[2013 Rugby League World Cup|2013]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Australia}} {{flagicon|New Zealand}} {{flagicon|PNG}} [[2017 Rugby League World Cup|2017]]||Quarter-finals||7/14||4||1||0||3
|-
|{{flagicon|England}} [[2021 Rugby League World Cup|2021]]||Quarter-finals||||4||2||0||2
|-
|(TBD) [[2026 Rugby League World Cup|2026]] || ''qualified''

|}

=== World Cup 9's ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! colspan="9" |[[Rugby League World Cup 9s|World Cup 9's Record]]
|-
!Year
!Round
!Position
!{{Tooltip|Pld|Games played}}
!Win
!Draw
!Loss
|-
| |{{flagicon|Australia}} [[2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s|2019]] || Pool stage || || 3 || 2 || 0 || 1
|}

==IRL Rankings==
{{RLIF World Rankings|Lebanon}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Sports}}
* [[Rugby league in Lebanon]]
* [[Lebanon national rugby league team match results]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLxAOVsr8jw Al Jazeera YouTube feature]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070302190953/http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8688708056145983012&q=rugby%2Bleague%2F Google-Video]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110202050535/http://lebrl.com/ Lebanon Rugby League]

{{Rugby League European Federation}}
{{International Rugby League}}
{{National sports teams of Lebanon}}
{{MEA Rugby League Championship}}

[[Category:Lebanon national rugby league team| ]]
[[Category:National rugby league teams]]
[[Category:Rugby league in Lebanon|National team]]