Lebanon vs Sudan Preview, Prediction & Lineups – International Friendly

Lebanon and Sudan meet in an international friendly on Friday, 29 May 2026 — one of the most resonant matchups of this international window, though neither team will be at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Lebanon, coached by Miodrag Radulovic, currently sit first in their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification group with 13 points from five matches, using this fixture as preparation before their next Asian Cup qualifier against Yemen on June 4. Sudan, under Ghanaian coach James Kwesi Appiah, have continued competing internationally despite the devastating ongoing civil war at home — with the national team having been based in Doha, Qatar, for the better part of the last two years, training and preparing while their country faces unimaginable hardship.

For both nations, every international fixture carries a weight that goes far beyond football — and tonight is no different.

Lebanon vs Sudan Match Details

Given Lebanon’s ongoing geopolitical constraints, the Cedars regularly play in neutral venues across the region — most commonly Qatar, Jordan, and the UAE. Sudan’s team continues its tradition of training and assembling in Doha.

Lebanon Form Guide — Last 5 Matches

Lebanon have been in strong form recently, winning three of their last five matches — scoring ten goals and conceding just two across that run, with their defence conceding an average of just 0.4 goals per game. In the Asian Cup Qualification Round 3, Lebanon have accumulated 13 points from five matches with four wins and one draw.

The comfortable wins against Bhutan and Brunei tell the story of Lebanon’s dominance in Group B, but the 1-2 loss to Sudan in the Arab Cup qualifier in November gives tonight’s match an extra edge of rivalry. Lebanon also drew 0-0 with Yemen earlier in the campaign — their only dropped points — showing they can be frustrated by organised opposition. Attacking leader Malek Fakhro has scored four goals in the Asian Cup qualification campaign, and will be central to whatever Lebanon create tonight.

Sudan Form Guide — Last 5 Matches

Sudan arrived at AFCON 2025 in Morocco determined to compete — carrying the hopes of people watching from refugee camps, temporary shelters, and distant diasporas across the globe. Appiah guided Sudan to the round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after they finished as one of the best third-placed teams in Group E — marking their first AFCON knockout appearance since 1970.

Appiah’s decision to field a rotated side against Burkina Faso was deliberate — he had already secured qualification for the knockout stage and rested key players ahead of the Senegal match in 72 hours. Sudan rocked Senegal in the round of 16 by taking a sixth-minute lead through a striker who plays for an Australian second-tier club in Melbourne — before Senegal ultimately overturned the deficit to win 3-1. The AFCON experience has hardened this Sudan squad significantly, and their 2-1 win over Lebanon in November shows they have the quality to beat tonight’s opponents.

Lebanon vs Sudan Head to Head Record

The two sides have met twice in recent years — once at the 2021 Arab Cup and once in the 2025 Arab Cup qualifying round — with one win each and no draws recorded between them.

The sequence is telling: Lebanon won 1-0 in their 2021 Arab Cup encounter via a Sudan own goal, before Sudan reversed that result with a convincing 2-1 win in the Arab Cup qualifier last November. The head-to-head is perfectly level — making tonight’s third meeting a genuine tiebreaker for bragging rights between two sides who know each other well.

Lebanon vs Sudan Predicted Lineups

Radulovic favours a 4-2-3-1 shape built around defensive solidity and quick transitions through the attacking midfield. Appiah’s Sudan typically deploy a high-energy 4-3-3 that presses intensely in the first half and looks for pace on the counter through their wide forwards.

Lebanon Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ali Sabeh (GK) | Mohamed Zein Tahan (RB) | Maher Sabra (CB) | Hassan Chaitou (CB) | Amir Sayyed Ahmad (LB) | Mouhamad-Ali Dhaini (CDM) | Felix Michel (CM) | Bassel Jradi (CAM) | Hasan Srour (RW) | Malek Fakhro (ST) | Rabih Ataya (LW)

Sudan Predicted XI (4-3-3): Ali Abu-Eshrein (GK) | Ahmed Wadah (RB) | Samawal Merghani (CB) | Mohamed Ering (CB) | Salah Adel (LB) | Walieldin Khidir (CDM) | Mohamed Al-Rasheed (CM) | Ahmed Bibo (CM) | Ammar Taifour (RW) | Mohamed Abdel Rahman ‘Al-Ghorbal’ (ST) | Ramadan Agab (LW)

Hasan Srour has been the standout performer for Lebanon with a rating of 7.52, while Hussein Zein and Ali Tneich have also impressed. For Sudan, Appiah is expected to use his strongest available lineup after rotating heavily against Burkina Faso at AFCON. Lineups are predicted and subject to change. Confirmed XIs are usually released 60 minutes before kickoff. See all international friendly matches 2026.

Key Players to Watch

Bassel Jradi — Lebanon

Bassel Jradi is Lebanon’s most creative attacker — an attacking midfielder capable of threading passes into tight spaces and arriving late in the box to score. Jradi leads Lebanon’s scoring in league play and his combination play with Malek Fakhro and Hasan Srour is the cornerstone of Radulovic’s attack. Lebanon are a different team when Jradi is at his sharpest — he gives the Cedars the technical quality needed to unlock a physically organised Sudan backline.

Mohamed Abdel Rahman ‘Al-Ghorbal’ — Sudan

Mohamed Abdel Rahman ‘Al-Ghorbal’, striker for Al-Hilal Sudan, is the most prominent player of the Sudanese national team and one of their leading goal scorers. His physical presence and ability to link the midfield to the attack gives Sudan an anchor in the final third that Lebanon’s defenders will need to account for from the first whistle. Al-Ghorbal’s experience at both AFCON and Arab Cup level makes him Sudan’s most dangerous weapon — and the one most capable of punishing Lebanon if they leave space in behind.

Lebanon vs Sudan — Tactical Preview

Appiah’s preferred 4-3-3 formation emphasises fluidity, creativity, and relentless forward momentum — his teams are known for their organisation, adaptability, and sharp tactical awareness. Sudan will press Lebanon high from the opening minutes and look to disrupt Radulovic’s build-up play with intensity across the midfield. Lebanon’s response will be to keep the ball patient and find Jradi and Srour in the half-spaces between Sudan’s midfield and backline.

The critical battle is in the centre of the pitch — if Lebanon’s double pivot can win the midfield duel and give Jradi time on the ball, the Cedars have the quality to create chances. If Sudan’s press forces errors and turnover, Al-Ghorbal and Agab have the speed to punish on the counter. Both managers know each other’s systems well from the November meeting, which adds a tactical chess-match dimension to what could otherwise be written off as a low-key friendly.

Lebanon vs Sudan Prediction

This is genuinely one of the most evenly matched fixtures of the entire May international window. Lebanon’s overall friendly record is strong — six wins, two draws, and two losses this season — with an average of 1.7 goals per game. Sudan arrive with AFCON experience and the confidence of having beaten Lebanon 2-1 in November. Neither side has a significant ranking or form advantage — Lebanon sit 109th in the world, Sudan around 118th, and the head-to-head is perfectly level at one win apiece.

Expect a competitive, physical match with goals at a premium and both teams eager to prove a point ahead of their respective upcoming qualifiers. Sudan’s high-press could create early problems for Lebanon, but the Cedars’ home-match discipline and attacking quality should keep this close throughout.

Our Prediction: Lebanon 1–1 Sudan

Bassel Jradi is the likeliest Lebanon scorer — he thrives when given space between the lines and Sudan’s high press can leave gaps in behind. For Sudan, Al-Ghorbal’s physical ability to hold the ball and bring runners into play gives him a strong chance of finding the net if Lebanon’s central defenders are caught in transition.

How to Watch Lebanon vs Sudan Live

Coverage details for Lebanon vs Sudan are yet to be confirmed. Lebanese viewers can check LBC Sport and Al-Jadeed TV for national broadcast options. Sudanese viewers can check Sudan TV. Arab viewers across the region can check beIN Sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

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    <summary>What time does Lebanon vs Sudan kick off?</summary>
    <div class="faq-answer"><p>The kickoff time for Lebanon vs Sudan on Friday, 29 May 2026 is yet to be officially confirmed. The match is being played at a neutral venue in the region. Check the confirmed broadcaster or FWCTimes for the latest kickoff update closer to matchday.</p></div>
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    <summary>What is the predicted score for Lebanon vs Sudan?</summary>
    <div class="faq-answer"><p>FWCTimes predicts a 1–1 draw. This is one of the most evenly matched fixtures of the May international window — both nations are ranked within 10 FIFA places of each other, hold a 1-1 head-to-head record, and arrive in comparable form. Sudan's 2-1 win over Lebanon in November 2025 shows they have the quality to take points, but Lebanon's home-match discipline and the strength of their Asian Cup qualifying form makes them equally capable of a result.</p></div>
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    <summary>Who are the key players for Lebanon vs Sudan?</summary>
    <div class="faq-answer"><p>Bassel Jradi is Lebanon's creative focal point — the attacking midfielder's combination play and late arrivals in the box make him the most likely source of a Lebanon goal. For Sudan, striker Mohamed Abdel Rahman 'Al-Ghorbal' leads the attack and brings the physical presence and experience needed to trouble any backline at this level.</p></div>
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    <summary>What is the head-to-head record between Lebanon and Sudan?</summary>
    <div class="faq-answer"><p>Lebanon and Sudan have met twice before. Lebanon won 1–0 at the 2021 Arab Cup Group Stage via a Sudan own goal, before Sudan reversed the result with a 2–1 win over Lebanon in the Arab Cup Qualification round in November 2025. The head-to-head is perfectly level at one win apiece ahead of tonight's third meeting.</p></div>
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    <summary>Why is Sudan playing international football despite the ongoing civil war?</summary>
    <div class="faq-answer"><p>Sudan's national team has continued competing internationally as a point of national pride and unity for the Sudanese people despite the devastating ongoing conflict at home. The team has been based in Doha, Qatar, for most of the last two years, training and assembling there since domestic infrastructure has been severely disrupted. Coach James Kwesi Appiah has spoken about how representing Sudan at this moment is about more than football — it is about giving the Sudanese people something to be proud of during one of the darkest periods in the country's history.</p></div>
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Check Also: Lebanon vs Sudan Live Score