Al Ansar Football Club () is a football club based in Tariq El Jdideh, a district in Beirut, Lebanon, that competes in the . Formed in 1951, the club did not win its first Lebanese Premier League until 1988. They went on to set a world record by winning the league 11 seasons in a row.
Ansar is the most successful club in the country, having won the Lebanese Premier League 16 times, the Lebanese FA Cup 16 times, and the Lebanese Federation Cup twice, all domestic records. They have also won the Lebanese Elite Cup twice and the Lebanese Super Cup six times. Ansar's major rivalry is with Nejmeh; dubbed the Beirut derby, it is the most anticipated game in Lebanon.
The club is primarily supported by the Sunni Muslim community; they had been funded by Rafic Hariri and Salim Diab until 2005. Nabil Badr has been the club's president and main patron since 2012.
History
Early history (1948–1966) In 1948, a group of young Beirutis set up the first administrative board at the club headed by Mustafa Al-Shami. Three years Misbah Dougan, then head of the administrative board, formally requested an official licence for the club allowing them to play football on all Lebanese grounds. They were to be called "Al-Intisar", Arabic for "Victory", however a club with that name was already present. Mustafa Al-Shami proposed "Ansar" in remembrance of the supporters of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Initially, Ansar was known as a Mount Lebanon team, rather than a team from Beirut. This is because, as Beirut had already too many clubs, the Federation decided to relocate Ansar to Ghobeiry. In 1965, Ansar moved to Beirut and won the 1966 Lebanese Second Division promotion play-offs, gaining promotion to the Lebanese Premier League for the following season.
Recent history (2020–present) Ansar were crowned champions of the 2020–21 Lebanese Premier League by beating Nejmeh 2–1 in the Beirut derby in the last matchday; they won their 14th title, their first since 2007. They made the season a double, after beating Nejmeh in the Lebanese FA Cup final. Ansar won their 15th title in the 2024–25 season, and their 16th title in the 2025–26 season after beating Nejmeh 2–1 in the last matchday.
Supporters Although the club's roots lie in the Sunni community in Beirut, Ansar's support comes from all areas and religions in Lebanon. The club has been associated with the Hariri family from the early 1990s till 2005. In 2018, following the introduction of ultras groups in Lebanon, "Ultras Ansari 18" (UA18) was formed.
Club rivalries
The Beirut derby with Nejmeh has historically been the most anticipated game in Lebanon: both located in Beirut, Nejmeh and Ansar have shared the majority of titles. While Nejmeh has been more successful in Asia, Ansar holds the most league titles and FA Cups.
Another important rivalry is with Ahed: located in Beirut, they are affiliated with Hezbollah, with their fan base mostly coming from the Shia community in Beirut. In addition Ansar has a rivalry with Safa, also based in Beirut.
Players Current squad
Out on loan
Notable players
+ Players in international competitionsCompetitionPlayerNational team1996 CONCACAF Gold CupDavid Nakhid2000 AFC Asian CupJadirNewtonJamal Taha2007 AFC Asian CupAhmad MnajedSalih Sadir2019 AFC Asian CupHassan ChaitoHassan ChaitouAdnan HaidarMootaz El Jounaidi2023 AFC Asian CupMouhammed-Ali DhainiYahya El HindiHassan MaatoukRobert Alexander MelkiNassar NassarAli Tneich
Technical staff
Chairmen history Mustafa El-Shami (1948–1950) Ameen Itani (1950–1954) Fouad Rustom (1954–1956) Abdul Jalil Al-Sabra (1956–1963) Jamil Hasbeeny (1963–1965) Abed El-Jamil Ramadan (1965–1967) Khaled Kabbani (1967–1975) Said Wanid (1975–1977) Salim Diab (1977–2008) Karim Diab (2008–2012) Nabil Badr (2012–present)
Honours Lebanese Premier League Winners (16; record): 1987–88, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2020–21, 2024–25, 2025–26 Lebanese FA Cup Winners (16; record): 1987–88, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1998–99, 2001–02, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2016–17, 2020–21, 2023–24 Runners-up (5): 1985–86, 1996–97, 2000–01, 2018–19, 2021–22 Lebanese Federation Cup Winners (2; joint record): 1999, 2000 Lebanese Elite Cup (defunct) Winners (2): 1997, 2000 Runners-up (8): 1996, 1998, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2016, 2019, 2022 Lebanese Super Cup Winners (6): 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2012, 2021 Runners-up (5): 2002, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2024 National Solidarity Tournament Winners (1): 2026
Performance in AFC competitions AFC Champions League: 11 appearances 1988–89: Qualifying stage 1989–90: Qualifying stage 1991: Qualifying stage 1993–94: Quarter-finals 1994–95: Quarter-finals 1995: Second round 1997–98: Quarter-finals 1998–99: Second round 1999–2000: Second round 2000–01: First round 2002–03: Qualifying stage
AFC Cup: 8 appearances 2007: Group stage 2008: Group stage 2011: Group stage 2013: Group stage 2018: Group stage 2020: Cancelled 2021: Group stage 2022: Group stage
AFC Challenge League: 1 appearance 2025–26: Quarter-finals
Asian Cup Winners' Cup: 2 appearances 1991–92: First round 1996–97: First round
See also Al Ansar FC (women), defunct women's team List of football clubs in Lebanon
References
External links
Al Ansar FC at the AFC Al Ansar FC at LebanonFG