The matches of the Round of 32 in the Libya Cup football competition concluded without any notable surprises in this stage.
Eight teams qualified for the Round of 16 from the first region. The defending champion, Al-Ahly Tripoli, secured its qualification with a 3-1 victory over Al-Qadisiyah, and Al-Ittihad qualified for the same round by defeating Al-Shumou’ with a score of 1-0.
Al-Swehli joined the list of qualifiers with a hard-fought win over Al-Majd 4-3 on penalties after the original time ended in a 2-2 draw. In the same manner, Al-Olympic qualified after a difficult encounter against Al-Khums, winning 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regular time. Similarly, Al-Watan advanced by overcoming Al-Sabah 4-1 on penalties after a goalless draw in regular time.
Furthermore, Al-Madina qualified for the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Shabab Al-Ghar, and by the same score, Abu Salim qualified by defeating Al-Ittihad Misrata. Al-Mal’ab Al-Libi also qualified for the quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory over Ittihad Gharyan.
In the second region, eight teams qualified for the quarter-finals. The runner-up of the last edition, Al-Ahly Benghazi, qualified with a 1-0 win over Al-Burooq, and its neighbor Al-Nasr joined the qualifiers by defeating Al-Wifaq Ajdabiya 1-0.
Al-Tahaddy continued to the quarter-finals after a thrilling victory over Al-Afriqi 3-2 on penalties following a goalless draw in regular time.
Al-Hilal qualified for the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Al-Andalus, and by the same score, Al-Ittihad Al-Askari qualified at the expense of Al-Muruj, and Al-Sadaqa qualified over Al-Andalus.
Al-Akhdar continued to the quarter-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Darnes, and Al-Taawon qualified with the same result against Al-Anwar.
The quarter-final stage will feature highly anticipated matchups. In the first region, Al-Ahly Tripoli will face Al-Olympic in a top-tier clash of the Libya Cup. Al-Swehli will meet Al-Mal’ab Al-Libi in the same round, while Al-Ittihad will play against Abu Salim in a promising match. Al-Madina will face Al-Watan in the final match of the quarter-finals for the first region.
In the second region, for the quarter-final matches, Al-Ahly Benghazi will face Al-Taawon. Al-Hilal will meet Al-Sadaqa, and Al-Nasr will clash with its neighbor Al-Tahaddy in the top match of the second region. In another awaited match, Al-Ittihad Al-Askari will face Al-Akhdar.
Libya Cup
The Libya Cup is the premier domestic football knockout competition in Libya, first held in 1975. It has been organized by the Libyan Football Federation and features clubs from across the country competing for the national title, though its scheduling has been frequently disrupted by political instability and conflict.
Al-Ahly Tripoli
Al-Ahly Tripoli is a major sports club based in Tripoli, Libya, founded in 1950. It is historically one of the country’s most successful and popular football clubs, with a significant role in Libyan sporting culture.
Al-Qadisiyah
Al-Qadisiyah is a city in central Iraq, historically significant as the site of the 7th-century Battle of al-Qadisiyyah, a decisive Muslim victory over the Sassanian Empire that led to the Islamic conquest of Persia. The modern city, capital of the Al-Qadisiyah Governorate, was developed in the 20th century and serves as an administrative and agricultural center.
Al-Ittihad
Al-Ittihad is a historic football club based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, founded in 1927. It is one of the most successful and popular clubs in the country and Asia, with a rich history of winning numerous domestic and continental titles, including the AFC Champions League.
Al-Shumou’
Al-Shumou’ is a cultural and heritage site in Saudi Arabia, often associated with traditional architecture and historical significance in the region. It reflects the area’s history and serves as a venue for cultural events and exhibitions that highlight local heritage.
Al-Swehli
Al-Swehli is a coastal town in Libya historically known as a center of Islamic scholarship and trade, particularly during the medieval period. It is named after the prominent Sufi saint and scholar Sidi Abdul-Salam Al-Asmar Al-Swehli, whose tomb and associated mosque remain a significant cultural and religious site for pilgrims. The town’s history is deeply intertwined with the spread of Islam and Sufi traditions in the Maghreb region.
Al-Majd
“Al-Majd” is a common name for streets, neighborhoods, and commercial establishments across the Arab world, meaning “The Glory” in Arabic. It does not refer to a single, specific historical or cultural site with a unified history. Therefore, there is no singular history to summarize for a place named “Al-Majd” in general.
Al-Olympic
“Al-Olympic” likely refers to the Olympic Sports Complex in Algiers, Algeria. It is a major multi-purpose stadium complex built to host events like the 1975 Mediterranean Games and has since been a central venue for national and international sporting competitions. The site symbolizes Algeria’s investment in sports infrastructure following its independence.
Al-Khums
Al-Khums is a coastal city in northwestern Libya, historically significant as the site of ancient Leptis Magna, a prominent Roman city founded in the 7th century BC. The ruins of Leptis Magna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, represent some of the most impressive and well-preserved Roman architecture in the Mediterranean.
Al-Watan
Al-Watan is a cultural and entertainment destination in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which opened in 2017 as part of the King Salman Park development. It serves as a public space showcasing Saudi heritage, art, and nature through its gardens, exhibitions, and architectural design.
Al-Sabah
Al-Sabah refers to the ruling family of Kuwait, which has governed since the mid-18th century. The dynasty was founded by Sabah I bin Jaber, and its history is central to the establishment and modern development of the State of Kuwait. The family continues to hold the position of Emir, shaping the nation’s political and cultural landscape.
Al-Madina
Al-Madina, also known as Medina, is a city in Saudi Arabia of profound religious significance in Islam. It is the site where the Prophet Muhammad migrated in 622 CE, establishing it as the first capital of the Islamic community and the location of his tomb within the Prophet’s Mosque. This migration, known as the Hijrah, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
Shabab Al-Ghar
“Shabab Al-Ghar” is a prominent Saudi Arabian football club based in the city of Al-Baha. Founded in 1976, the club has competed in various tiers of the Saudi football league system and is known for its strong local support. Its name translates to “Youth of the Cave,” reflecting a connection to the region’s cultural and geographical heritage.
Abu Salim
Abu Salim is a district in Tripoli, Libya, best known internationally for the Abu Salim prison. The prison gained notoriety after a 1996 massacre where hundreds of inmates were killed, an event that later helped spark the 2011 Libyan Civil War. Historically, the area’s name is also associated with a prominent local family.
Al-Ittihad Misrata
Al-Ittihad Misrata is a Libyan professional football club based in the city of Misrata, founded in 1944. It is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the country, historically serving as a significant cultural and sporting institution for the city.
Al-Mal’ab Al-Libi
Al-Mal’ab Al-Libi, or The Libyan Play, is a significant cultural and historical site in Tripoli, Libya, originally built as an Italian theater during the colonial period in the early 20th century. It later became a central venue for Libyan performing arts and a symbol of national cultural identity following the country’s independence.
Ittihad Gharyan
Ittihad Gharyan is a Libyan football club based in the city of Gharyan, founded in 1954. The club has historically been a significant part of the local sporting culture in northwestern Libya, competing in the country’s top football divisions.
Al-Ahly Benghazi
Al-Ahly Benghazi is a major sports club in Libya, most famous for its football team, and was founded in 1947 during the post-World War II era. It is one of the country’s oldest and most popular clubs, historically representing the city of Benghazi and serving as a significant cultural and social institution.
Al-Burooq
Al-Burooq is a historical and cultural site in Saudi Arabia, traditionally believed to be the location where the Prophet Muhammad changed his mount (the Buraq) during the Night Journey (Isra’ and Mi’raj). It is marked by a mosque in the historic region of Hejaz and serves as a significant landmark for Islamic heritage.
Al-Nasr
Al-Nasr is a bronze monument located in Baghdad, Iraq, originally erected in 1959 to commemorate the founding of the Iraqi Republic. The sculpture depicts a woman, often referred to as the “Winged Victory of Baghdad,” holding a palm frond and a torch aloft, symbolizing peace and progress.
Al-Wifaq Ajdabiya
Al-Wifaq Ajdabiya is a cultural and social organization based in the city of Ajdabiya, Libya. It is historically known for its role in fostering local community dialogue and cohesion, particularly during periods of national conflict following the 2011 revolution.
Al-Tahaddy
Al-Tahaddy is a prominent sports stadium located in Benghazi, Libya, primarily used for football matches. It was historically the home ground of the Al-Tahaddy Benghazi club and has hosted significant national sporting events. The stadium’s history is intertwined with Libyan sports culture, though it has faced periods of damage and renovation due to the country’s conflicts.
Al-Afriqi
“Al-Afriqi” is a historical name for the continent of Africa, derived from the Latin “Africus” and famously used by the medieval Arab geographer Muhammad al-Idrisi in his 12th-century work “Tabula Rogeriana.” The term reflects the early Islamic world’s engagement with and mapping of the African continent.
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal is a professional football club based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, founded in 1957. It is one of Asia’s most successful clubs, with a record number of Saudi Pro League titles and multiple Asian Champions League victories, establishing a deep-rooted sporting legacy in the region.
Al-Andalus
Al-Andalus refers to the regions of the Iberian Peninsula under Muslim rule between the 8th and 15th centuries, a period known for its remarkable cultural and scientific flourishing. This civilization, centered in cities like Córdoba and Granada, was characterized by a relatively high degree of religious coexistence among Muslims, Christians, and Jews. It ended with the completion of the Christian Reconquista in 1492 with the fall of the Emirate of Granada.
Al-Ittihad Al-Askari
Al-Ittihad Al-Askari is a historic military fortress located in the city of Aleppo, Syria. It was originally constructed in the 10th century by the Hamdanid dynasty and later expanded under the Ayyubids in the 12th century, serving as a key defensive structure. The fortress is a significant example of medieval Islamic military architecture.
Al-Muruj
Al-Muruj is a historical and cultural site in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, known for its ancient rock art and inscriptions that date back thousands of years. The area features carvings depicting human and animal figures, offering a glimpse into the lives and beliefs of the region’s prehistoric inhabitants. It serves as an important archaeological record of early human activity on the Arabian Peninsula.
Al-Sadaqa
Al-Sadaqa is a historic mosque located in the city of Mosul, Iraq, believed to have been originally built during the medieval Atabeg period. It is notably associated with the 12th-century ruler Nur al-Din Zangi, who commissioned its construction as a symbol of faith and community. The mosque has undergone various restorations over the centuries, reflecting the long Islamic heritage of the region.
Al-Akhdar
Al-Akhdar, also known as the Green Mountain, is a prominent mountain range in northeastern Libya, forming part of the Jebel Akhdar plateau. Historically, it was a significant region in the ancient Greek colony of Cyrenaica, known for its fertile highlands and forests. During the Italian colonial period in the early 20th century, it was the site of prolonged resistance by Libyan fighters.
Darnes
Darnes is a historic coastal fortress located in the city of Cartagena, Spain, originally constructed by the Carthaginians around 227 BC. It was later expanded and used by successive powers, including the Romans and Byzantines, primarily for its strategic defensive position overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Al-Taawon
Al-Taawon is a Palestinian football club based in the city of Al-Bireh in the West Bank. Founded in 1973, it is one of the most prominent clubs in Palestinian sports and has won multiple national league and cup titles. The club’s name, which translates to “Cooperation,” reflects its community-oriented identity.
Al-Anwar
Al-Anwar is a historic mosque located in Cairo, Egypt, originally built in the 15th century during the Mamluk era. It is also known as the Mosque of al-Mu’ayyad Sheikh and is situated near the Bab Zuweila gate, serving as a significant example of Islamic architecture from that period.
