Lebanon U20 Championship
The Lebanon U20 Championship, run by the Lebanese Football Association (LFA), spotlights the nation's top young football prospects under 20. It's a vital breeding ground for talent in a football landscape marked by fervent fan support and regional challenges, propelling players toward senior national teams and pro leagues across Asia and beyond.
History and foundation
Launched in the early 2000s with its first official edition in 2001, the championship has endured Lebanon's turbulent times, including the 2019 economic crisis. Al-Ansar U20's gripping 2020 penalty shootout victory stands out, while Al-Ahed U20's 2015 upset remains legendary. The tournament has nurtured stars like Khaled Al-Kamal, who later shone in the AFC Champions League.
Tournament format
Featuring 12–14 clubs split into two groups for a single round-robin phase (12–13 games each), top four advance to knockouts: quarterfinals, semis, and a neutral-venue final. Running August to May with international breaks, it limits foreign players to two per squad to prioritize locals. Recent additions include LFA TV streams.
Interesting facts
High-scoring affair with 3.2 goals per game average, driven by fast-paced counterattacks. Top scorer Mohammed Haddad netted 28 for Al-Nijmeh U20 in 2021/22. Standouts include Samir Kuntar (now pro) and Raid Nazih (Qatari league). Current phenom Ali Moussa, 18, from Nejmeh, boasts 15–20 goals per season with dazzling skill.