Women's football in Lebanon officially began in 2005, with the creation of the Lebanese Women's Football (LWF). Despite the prejudice women have faced for playing football, the sport's popularity has risen since the late 2010s. Indeed, Lebanon has achieved significant success within the West Asia region.
In 1964, the American University of Beirut (AUB) appointed their first-ever women's physical education teacher, Rose La Sorte from the United States. She introduced women's football to AUB's curriculum for the first time.[1]
It wasn't until October–November 1998 that the AUB formed a proper women's football team, under the initiative of student Luma Shihab-Eldin.[2] In February 1999, the AUB played their first game against the women's team of the Notre Dame University–Louaize (NDU), which finished 4–4.[3] Two other schools in Lebanon also had a women's football team: the American Community School Beirut (ACS) and the International College, Beirut (IC).[4] In 2002, the first interscholastic girls' football tournament was played.[2]
In 2005, the Lebanese Women's Football (LWF) committee was formed, affiliated to the Lebanese Football Association (LFA), to oversee the women's national teams.[5] From the late 2010s, football became more widespread among the female population in Lebanon.[6] Indeed, in 2019 there were 650 registered players, compared to 150 in 2005.[5] With the LFA investing more into the women's youth system, Lebanon has achieved considerable success within its region (West Asia) both at the national team and club levels.[6][7]
While not popular, the sport has mainly been played in affluent areas in Lebanon since the 2000s.[5][21] One of the barriers of the growing sport has been the prejudice that many women have faced for playing it.[22][23][24][25][26]
Women's football has become more popular since the late 2010s,[6] with increasing numbers in participation nationwide and more supporters (both women and men) in the stands.[5] Many parents also encourage their daughters to play.[6] However, while women's participation in football has been generally viewed positively in most cities, the more conservative communities still view football as a "male sport".[5]
In 2017, Doumouh Al Bakkar became the first Lebanese female referee to officiate a game between men, in a friendly game between Lebanese Premier League sides Safa and Tadamon Sour.[27] Regarding her experience refereeing a match between two top-tier men's clubs, Al Bakkar stated: "Some players were surprised at the idea of a woman officiating the game, others laughed. But of course, on the other hand, some were cooperative and offered me words of encouragement".[27]
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