Latakia is the principal port city of Syria and capital city of the Latakia Governorate located on the Mediterranean coast. Historically, it has also been known as Laodicea in Syria or Laodicea ad Mare. In addition to serving as a port, the city is a significant manufacturing center for surrounding agricultural towns and villages. According to 2023 estimate, the population of the city is 709,000, its population greatly increased as a result of the ongoing Syrian Civil War, which led to an influx of internally displaced persons from rebel held areas. It is the 4th-largest city in Syria after Aleppo, Damascus, and Homs. It borders Tartus to the south, Hama to the east, and Idlib to the north, and Cape Apostolos Andreas, the north-eastern tip of Cyprus, is about 109 kilometres (68 mi) away.
The Morocco national football team represents Morocco in men's international football, and is controlled by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the governing body for football in Morocco.
The Tunisia national football team represents Tunisia in men's international association football. The team is a member of both FIFA and CAF, the Confederation of African Football. It is governed by the Tunisian Football Federation, founded in 1957. Colloquially known as the Eagles of Carthage, the team's colours are red and white, and the bald eagle is its symbol. Most of Tunisia's home matches are played at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Radès since 2001.
The Syria national football team represents Syria in international football, and is controlled by the Syrian Arab Federation for Football, the governing body for football in Syria. Syria has never qualified for the World Cup finals, but did reach the fourth qualification round in 2018. The team is currently banned by FIFA from playing at home, as they have not hosted a game since December 2010. Internationally, Syria won the 2012 WAFF Championship, 1957 Arab Games and the 1987 Mediterranean Games.
The Lebanon national football team, controlled by the Lebanese Football Association (LFA), have represented Lebanon in association football since their inception in 1933. The squad is governed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) continentally, and FIFA worldwide. While Lebanon have yet to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, they have qualified three times to the AFC Asian Cup: they first participated in 2000, when they hosted the event. Lebanon's main venue is the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium in Beirut; however they also play in other locations such as the Saida Municipal Stadium in Sidon.
Sport in Albania revolves mostly around team sports, such as football, basketball, volleyball and handball. Other sports includes boxing, weightlifting, tennis, swimming, judo, karate, athletics, table tennis, rugby, cricket, and chess. Football in particular has seen a rapid transformation, with the Albania national football team making its debut at the 1964 UEFA European Football Championship. The national football team also qualified for the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship. Many Albanian athletes have also achieved significant success and have won European and Mediterranean titles in numerous sports during the years, such as wrestling, football, athletics and weightlifting. Albanian athletes have won a total 49 medals for Albania in 8 different Mediterranean sports. Albania has had some success in others sport such as volleyball and basketball as well.
Tishreen Sports Club is a Syrian professional football club based in Latakia. The club was founded in 1947 and currently competes in the Syrian Premier League. Its home ground is Al-Assad Stadium. Tishreen has won five league titles. The club colors are yellow and red.earned a master's degree
The X Mediterranean Games, commonly known as the 1987 Mediterranean Games, were the 10th Mediterranean Games. The Games were held in Latakia, Syria, from 11 to 25 September 1987, where 1,996 athletes from 18 countries participated. The Games featured a total of 162 medal events from 19 different sports.
The 2009 Mediterranean Games football tournament was the 16th edition of the Mediterranean Games men's football tournament. The football tournament was held in Pescara, Italy between 25 June and 5 July 2009 as part of the 2009 Mediterranean Games and was contested by 12 teams, all countries were represented by the U-20 teams. Spain won the gold medal.
The 1997 Mediterranean Games football tournament was the 13th edition of the Mediterranean Games men's football tournament. The football tournament was held in Bari, Italy between 8 and 25 June 1997 as part of the 1997 Mediterranean Games and was contested by 13 teams, all countries were represented by the Olympic teams. Italy won the gold medal.
Abdulkader Dakka is a Syrian footballer. He currently plays for Al-Wahda, which competes in the Syrian Premier League the top division in Syria. He plays as a defender, wearing the number 30 jersey for Al-Wahda and for the Syrian national football team he wears the number 17 shirt.
The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Latakia, Syria.
The Syria women's national handball team is the national team of Syria. It is governed by the Syrian Arab Handball Federation and takes part in international handball competitions.
The Albania women's national basketball team represents Albania in international women's basketball competitions, and is controlled by the Albanian Basketball Association.
The 2015–2016 Latakia offensive was a campaign of the Syrian Civil War that was launched by government forces in October 2015 to recapture rebel-held territory in the Latakia Governorate bordering Turkey.
The Syria women's national basketball team is the nationally controlled basketball team representing Syria at world basketball competitions for women, administered by the Syrian Basketball Federation.
The 2020 AFC U-23 Championship was the fourth edition of the AFC U-23 Championship, the biennial international age-restricted men's football championship organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for under-23 national teams. A total of 16 teams competed in the tournament. It took place between 8–26 January 2020 in Thailand.
Below are the squads for the Football at the 1987 Mediterranean Games, hosted in Latakia, Syria, and took place between 15 and 25 September 1987.
The men's football tournament at the 2018 Asian Games was held from 10 August to 1 September 2018. It was the 17th edition of the men's tournament. In this tournament, 25 teams played in the men's competition. South Korea were the gold medal holders when they won the tournament in 2014. They managed to retain their title.
Korea DPR participated in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia from 18 August to 2 September 2018. Korea DPR made its first appearance at the Asian Games in 1974 Tehran, and ranked at the top five in 1974, 1978, 1982, and 1990. At the latest games in Incheon, North Korea had collected 36 medals, and standing at the seventh position in medals tally.
Syria (1st title)
France Amateurs 
Turkey Olympic 
Greece XI 
