Wikipedia

Abbas Hassan

Abbas Ahmad Hassan (Arabic: عباس أحمد حسن; born 10 May 1985) is a professional football coach and player who is the goalkeeper coach of Swedish club Falkenbergs FF while also playing as a as a goalkeeper for the club. Born in Lebanon, he played for Sweden at youth level and for Lebanon at senior level.

Abbas Hassan
Hassan with Nejmeh in 2019
Personal information
Full name Abbas Ahmad Hassan[1]
Date of birth (1985-05-10) 10 May 1985 (age 41)
Place of birth Blida, Lebanon[1]
Height 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in)
Position Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Falkenbergs FF (goalkeeper coach, player)
Number 44
Youth career
–2002 Arvidstorps IK
2002–2005 IF Elfsborg
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2010 IF Elfsborg 15 (0)
2008 → Halmstads BK (loan) 0 (0)
2009–2010 → Aalborg BK (loan) 0 (0)
2010 → IFK Norrköping (loan) 2 (0)
2011–2013 IFK Norrköping 30 (0)
2013–2016 IF Elfsborg 6 (0)
2016 Örgryte IS 12 (0)
2017–2020 Nejmeh 25 (0)
2026– Falkenbergs FF 1 (0)
International career
2003 Sweden U18 1 (0)
2006 Sweden U21 2 (0)
2012–2018 Lebanon 25 (0)
Managerial career
2025– Falkenbergs FF (goalkeeper)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 30 May 2026

Coming through the youth sector, Hassan made his professional debut at IF Elfsborg in 2005. After a loan at Aalborg BK in 2009–10, Hassan joined IFK Norrköping, with whom he stayed from 2011 to 2013. That year he returned to IF Elfsborg, playing three years, before moving to Örgryte IS in 2016. In 2017 Hassan moved for the first—and only—time away from Europe, playing in his country of origin, Lebanon. He played for Nejmeh between 2017 and 2020.

Early life

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Hassan was born in Blida, Lebanon, in 1985,[1] and moved to Sweden with his family in 1992.[2][3] He grew up in Falkenberg,[4] where he began playing football with local club Arvidstorps IK before joining IF Elfsborg's youth academy in 2002.[5]

Club career

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IF Elfsborg

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Coming through the youth system,[5] Hassan made his first-team debut for IF Elfsborg in 2005 after first-choice goalkeeper Johan Wiland suffered an injury.[6] Hassan's performances earned him a place in the starting lineup ahead of Håkan Svensson, who had been signed as a temporary replacement for Wiland.[6] However, an injury during the 2006 pre-season allowed Wiland to regain his position as first-choice goalkeeper.[6]

In early 2008, Hassan spent time on trial with English club Manchester City.[7] Ahead of the 2009 season, he was considered a candidate to replace the departing Wiland, who had joined Copenhagen. However, the arrivals of Ante Covic and Joakim Wulff relegated Hassan to third-choice goalkeeper, prompting him to express his desire to leave the club.[6][8] On 9 July 2009, Hassan joined Danish club Aalborg BK on a one-year loan deal.[9][10]

IFK Norrköping

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On 29 June 2010 (formally completed on 8 July), he signed a short-term contract with Superettan side IFK Norrköping as cover for the injured David Mitov Nilsson.[11] Hassan made his Superettan debut for IFK Norrköping on 27 August 2010, in a 2–1 victory over Ljungskile SK, replacing suspended goalkeeper Niklas Westberg.[citation needed] Following the club's promotion to Allsvenskan, he signed a three-year contract with IFK Norrköping in December 2010, bringing his time at IF Elfsborg to an end.[12]

Return to IF Elfsborg

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On 6 February 2013, Hassan returned to IF Elfsborg, the reigning Swedish champions, after terminating his contract with IFK Norrköping.[13] He was brought in as a reserve goalkeeper for Kevin Stuhr Ellegaard.[14]

Örgryte IS

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Hassan joined Örgryte IS in summer 2016,[15] leaving at the end of the 2016 season.[16][17]

Nejmeh

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Hassan joined Lebanese Premier League club Nejmeh in July 2017.[18] In 2020, amid Lebanon's financial crisis and the suspension of football during the COVID-19 pandemic, he entered a contractual dispute with the club regarding unpaid salaries and later announced his retirement from playing.[19][20]

Falkenbergs FF

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Following his retirement from professional football in 2020, Hassan joined Falkenbergs FF as the club's goalkeeping coach in 2025.[21] On 30 May 2026, he made an unexpected return to playing during a Superettan match against IK Oddevold. With Anton Andersson forced off injured and Gustav Lillienberg unavailable, Hassan was called upon to replace Andersson in goal. The appearance was his first competitive match since playing for Nejmeh in Lebanon in 2019.[22]

International career

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Hassan played for Sweden at under-18 and under-21 levels between 2003 and 2006.[23]

Hassan made his debut for the Lebanon national team on 22 January 2012, in a friendly match against Iraq.[24] One of his most notable performances came in Lebanon's 1–0 victory over Iran during qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Named man of the match, Hassan produced a series of crucial saves to preserve Lebanon's lead.[25] Following the match, Iran manager Carlos Queiroz remarked: "I think a national hero was born today. For me, the score was Abbas Hassan 1, Iran 0."[26] Hassan also played a key role in Lebanon's subsequent World Cup qualifier against South Korea, making several important saves before Kim Chi-woo scored a late equaliser in the 97th minute.[citation needed]

Managerial career

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On 23 December 2024, Hassan was appointed goalkeeper coach of Falkenbergs FF ahead of the 2025 season.[21] His contract was extended for a further year on 9 February 2026.[27]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 30 May 2026[23]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
IF Elfsborg 2005 Allsvenskan 100—100
2006 Allsvenskan 00—00
2007 Allsvenskan 30—30
2008 Allsvenskan 201030
2009 Allsvenskan 000000
2010 Allsvenskan ——00
Total 15010160
Halmstads BK (loan) 2008 Allsvenskan 001010
Aalborg BK (loan) 2009–10 Danish Superliga 000000
IFK Norrköping (loan) 2010 Superettan 200020
IFK Norrköping 2011 Allsvenskan 19000190
2012 Allsvenskan 11000110
Total 30000300
IF Elfsborg 2013 Allsvenskan 202040
2014 Allsvenskan 301040
2015 Allsvenskan 101020
Total 6040100
Örgryte IS 2016 Superettan 12000120
Nejmeh 2017–18 Lebanese Premier League 120—120
2018–19 Lebanese Premier League 110—110
2019–20 Lebanese Premier League 20—20
Total 25000250
Falkenbergs FF 2026 Superettan 100010
Career total 91060970

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[28]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Lebanon 201290
2013110
201410
201530
201600
202300
202410
Total250

Honours

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IF Elfsborg

Nejmeh

Individual

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 "Abbas Hassan". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Toppklubbar från Libanon vill värva Öis-målvakten - Superettan - Fotbollskanalen". www.fotbollskanalen.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  3. ↑ Bildbyrån, Foto: Krister Andersson / (5 August 2020). "Hassan: "Har kusiner som jobbar i hamnen"". www.aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 31 May 2026.
  4. ↑ https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/1843503
  5. 1 2 Johansson, Foto: Thomas (29 August 2005). "Rookie in i Elfsborgs kasse". www.aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Abbas har tröttnat – vill lämna Elfsborg" (in Swedish). Svenskafans.com. 6 May 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  7. ↑ "Hassan on trial at City". Skysports.com. 9 January 2008. Archived from the original on 10 January 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  8. ↑ "Hassan vill lämna Elfsborg" (in Swedish). Expressen.se. 7 May 2009. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  9. ↑ "IF Elfsborg och Ålborg BK överens om Abbas" (in Swedish). elfsborg.se. 9 July 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2009.[permanent dead link]
  10. ↑ Jan Schrøder, AaB lejer Abbas Hassan Archived 26 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine, AaB, 14 July 2009.
  11. ↑ https://www.sverigesradio.se/artikel/3816770
  12. ↑ "Abbas Hassan helt klar" (in Swedish). gopkeing.net. 30 December 2010. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
  13. ↑ "Abbas Hassan återvänder till Elfsborg" (in Swedish). Borås Tidning. 6 February 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.[permanent dead link]
  14. ↑ "Inför Allsvenskan 2013, del 12: IF Elfsborg". www.svenskafans.com (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  15. ↑ Ahlén, Peter AhlénTextPeter (26 August 2016). "Peter Ahlén: "Andersson Borstam har fått för lite kredd"". Barometern-OT (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  16. ↑ "Namnkunnig målvakt klar för ÖIS". www.svenskafans.com (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  17. ↑ Keepern lämnar Örgryte - men fortsätter träna med klubben‚ fotbollskanalen.se, 10 January 2017
  18. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/NejmehSC/posts/%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%83-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3_%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B5%D9%81%D9%88%D9%81-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9/1105081732926640/
  19. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/100067173735748/posts/%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D8%AD%D8%B3%D9%86-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B3-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AE%D8%A8-%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%82-%D9%88-%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B3-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%8A%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AA%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A8/1724052331095260/
  20. ↑ "الفيفا يرد شكوى حارس النجمة | كووورة". www.kooora.com (in Arabic). Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  21. 1 2 Nilsson, Eric (23 December 2024). "Abbas Hassan ny målvaktstränare i FFF". Falkenbergs FF (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  22. ↑ "Abbas Hassan med comeback - efter sju år - Superettan - Fotbollskanalen". www.fotbollskanalen.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  23. 1 2 Abbas Hassan at the Swedish Football Association (in Swedish)
  24. ↑ "Abbas Hassan". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  25. ↑ "Samsung Man of the Match – Matchday 4" Archived 29 June 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ↑ ""Hassan heroic in historic win for Lebanon"". Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  27. ↑ Nilsson, Eric (9 February 2026). "Abbas Hassan förlänger med Falkenbergs FF". Falkenbergs FF (in Swedish). Retrieved 30 May 2026.
  28. ↑ "Abbas Hassan". FA Lebanon. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  29. ↑ "IFFHS Men's All Time Lebanon Dream Team". IFFHS. 6 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
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