Cross-Border Cup Drama: Egypt to Host Libyan Cup Final and Super Cup Showdowns
25 November 2025
Finals Relocated to Egypt for a Neutral Stage
The Libyan Football Federation unveiled the host country for the Libyan Cup Final and the Libyan Super Cup, opting for Egypt to provide a neutral arena, enhanced broadcasting, and smoother logistics. The matchups feature Al-Ahli Tripoli facing Al-Ahly Benghazi, a pairing born of the season’s league results with Al-Ahli Tripoli the league champions giving the double excitement a logistical twist.
Officials noted that the governing body allowed the clubs to select a host country. Al-Ahli Tripoli chose Tunisia, while Al-Ahly Benghazi requested Egypt as the site of both finals, a decision that aims to maximise attendance and television coverage while keeping travel practical for fans and staff.
Key Details, Timelines and Cross-Border Rivalry
Current regulations ordinarily place the final in the Libyan city where the federation’s headquarters are located. However, exceptions are permissible to meet broadcasting standards and logistical realities. The Tuesday draw confirmed Egypt as the host nation for both finals, with the Libyan federation coordinating with the Egyptian Football Association to handle visas, security, and match-day arrangements for spectators.
Dates remain tied to Libya’s progress in the Arab Cup, scheduled in Doha, Qatar, in early December. If Libya advances to the knockout rounds, the finals could be staged between December 10 and 21; if not, the window shifts to December 1–6. The final scheduling will balance travel, venue readiness, and the clubs’ calendars.
Egyptian rivalry on the sidelines
The coaching duos for the two clubs are both Egyptian, adding an extra layer of regional intrigue. Hossam El Badry leads Al-Ahli Tripoli, while Tariq Mustafa oversees Al-Ahly Benghazi. El Badry’s extensive coaching résumé includes roles across Egyptian football and international clubs, and Mustafa has built a career across Egyptian leagues and North Africa, culminating in leadership of the Benghazi side.
Both teams navigated close semi-finals to reach the final stage: Al-Ahli Tripoli edged their city rivals in a penalty shootout, and Al-Ahly Benghazi secured a dramatic win on penalties as well, setting the stage for a high-stakes cross-border clash.
As for the broader historical context, these two clubs have long dominated Libyan football’s upper tier, and the finals’ relocation to Egypt reflects a growing emphasis on consistent match-day standards, broadcast quality, and fan access—elements that are increasingly important in modern football diplomacy.
Put simply, this is a rare Libyan cross-border chapter penned in Egypt, with a football narrative that promises drama, tactical battles, and a few passport stamps along the way.
The road ahead
Both clubs have tactical pedigrees rooted in Egyptian football culture, which adds an extra layer of strategy to what promises to be a technically rich encounter. The teams’ custodians have expressed readiness to cooperate with authorities to ensure a smooth process for visas, tickets, and security, while the football community eagerly anticipates whether the neutral setting will translate to a memorable final and an entertaining Super Cup showdown.
In the end, fans can expect a well-managed event with VAR and modern stadium facilities a priority, a cross-border spectacle that could set a precedent for future Libyan fixtures in international venues.
Punchline: If football ever needed a passport, these finals just got one with a stamp of “made in Egypt.”
Punchline: The only thing quicker than the ball off the boot might be the travel plans—these cups are going on a world tour, and the luggage is the fans.
