Iraq Stars League

Iraq Stars League

Organising body	Iraqi Pro League Association
Founded	18 August 1974; 51 years ago (1974-08-18)
Country	Iraq
Confederation	AFC
Number of clubs	20 (since 2014–15)
Level on pyramid	1
Relegation to	Iraqi Premier Division League
Domestic cup(s)	Iraq FA Cup Iraqi Super Cup
International cup(s)	AFC Champions League Elite AFC Champions League Two Arab Club Champions Cup AGCFF Gulf Club Champions League
Current champions	Al-Shorta (8th title) (2024–25)
Most championships	Al-Zawraa (14 titles)
Top scorer	Amjad Radhi (180)
Broadcaster(s)	Al-Iraqiya TV Al-Kass Sports
Current: 2025–26 Iraq Stars League

The Iraq Stars League (Arabic: دوري نجوم العراق, romanized: Dawrī Nujūm Al-'Irāq) is the highest level of the Iraqi football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Iraqi Premier Division League. It is governed by the Iraqi Pro League Association.

The league was formed by the Iraq Football Association in 1974 as the Iraqi National Clubs First Division League, the first nationwide league of clubs in Iraq, and later became known as the Iraqi Premier League. In 2023, the competition was rebranded as the Iraq Stars League and transitioned into a fully professional competition. The current format sees 20 teams playing 38 matches each (playing each team in the league twice, home and away), totalling 380 matches in the season.

Of the 81 teams to have competed since the inception of the league in 1974, eleven have won the title. Al-Zawraa are the most successful club with 14 titles, followed by Al-Shorta (8), Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (7) and Al-Talaba (5); these four clubs together contest the Baghdad derbies. The current league champions are Al-Shorta, who won their fourth consecutive title in the 2024–25 season.

Up until 1973, leagues in Iraq were organised on a regional basis, reflecting the country's administrative and geographic divisions.^[1] The Central FA League in Baghdad, the Basra League and the Kirkuk League were all founded in 1948,^[2] while the Mosul League was founded in 1950.^[3] These competitions fostered strong local rivalries but lacked a unified national framework.

The first nationwide league was introduced in the 1973–74 season with the creation of the Iraqi National First Division,^[4] in which Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya were crowned champions.^[5] This competition represented the first attempt to establish a unified national championship. However, it included both clubs and institutional teams (such as military or ministry sides), which limited its long-term viability.

The Iraq Football Association (IFA) subsequently restructured the system by introducing a new National Clubs First Division League restricted exclusively to club sides, thereby marking the transition to a fully club-based national league structure.^[6]

The league held its first season in 1974–75 and was originally composed of ten clubs, marking the beginning of organised national club football in Iraq.^[7] The league's first ever goal was scored by Falah Hassan of Al-Tayaran (now known as Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya) in a 1–1 draw with Al-Sinaa.^[8] Al-Tayaran were crowned champions of the inaugural season, which featured the following teams:^[9]

Al-Baladiyat Al-Jaish Al-Muwasalat Al-Naqil Al-Rafidain

Al-Samawa Al-Sinaa Al-Shorta Al-Tayaran Babil

The early years of the competition were characterised by administrative instability and structural experimentation. Clubs frequently merged, dissolved or changed names, reflecting both ongoing institutional restructuring and the broader influence of state-affiliated organisations in Iraqi sport. Despite this fluid environment, a competitive hierarchy began to emerge rapidly.

Al-Zawraa established themselves as the league's first dominant force, winning the 1975–76 title and securing the first domestic double in Iraqi football history.^[10] The following season, 1976–77, was cut short due to scheduling difficulties, with the Iraq Football Association declaring Al-Zawraa champions based on the standings at the halfway point. These irregularities highlight the developmental nature of the league during its formative phase.

A key milestone came in 1977–78 when Al-Minaa won the league unbeaten, becoming the first club from outside Baghdad to claim the national title.^[11] This achievement briefly challenged the emerging centralisation of competitive power in the capital and demonstrated the potential for provincial clubs to compete at the highest level.

By the end of the 1970s, however, the balance of power had shifted decisively towards Baghdad. Clubs such as Al-Zawraa, Al-Talaba, Al-Shorta and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya began to establish a structural dominance, underpinned by greater institutional support and access to top players, that would define the league for decades to come.

The 1980s were heavily influenced by the Iran–Iraq War, which disrupted sporting schedules and forced repeated adaptations to league formats. The 1980–81 season, for example, was reduced to a single round-robin format due to logistical constraints.

The decade also saw increased politicisation of football, with state-backed institutions playing a greater role in club organisation. This culminated in the rise of Al-Rasheed, a club founded in 1983 under the patronage of Uday Hussein, which quickly emerged as a dominant force in Iraqi football.^[12] The club assembled many of the country's leading players, including several members of the Iraq national football team, and was managed by national team coach Ammo Baba.^[13]

The 1984–85 season was cancelled due to conflicts with national team commitments, illustrating the extent to which international priorities could override domestic competition. At the time of its abandonment, Al-Rasheed were leading the table, further highlighting their early strength.

Between 1986–87 and 1988–89, Al-Rasheed won three consecutive league titles, becoming the first club in Iraqi league history to achieve this feat. During this period, the club also secured multiple domestic doubles and enjoyed success in regional competitions, including three consecutive Arab Club Champions Cup titles from 1985 to 1987.^[14]

Al-Rasheed's dominance was short-lived but highly significant: the concentration of elite players within a single, state-backed club reduced competitive balance and temporarily disrupted the traditional rivalry among the Baghdad Big Four. Following the club's dissolution in 1990,^[15] its players were redistributed among other leading sides, contributing to the re-establishment of competitive equilibrium and reinforcing the dominance of Baghdad-based clubs.

Results of the 'Big Four' from 1990 to 2002

Season	QWJ	SHR	TLB	ZWR
1989–90	1	3	6	4
1990–91	6	3	2	1
1991–92	1	5	4	2
1992–93	3	4	1	2
1993–94	2	5	3	1
1994–95	2	6	4	1
1995–96	8	3	6	1
1996–97	1	5	3	2
1997–98	2	1	5	3
1998–99	3	5	2	1
1999–2000	2	3	4	1
2000–01	2	3	4	1
2001–02	2	3	1	4
Top four	11	8	10	13
out of 13
League champions

Following the dissolution of Al-Rasheed in 1990, the Iraqi league entered a period of relative structural stability combined with strong competitive concentration. The redistribution of Al-Rasheed's players among existing clubs contributed to the reassertion of the traditional powerhouses, with the so-called "Baghdad Big Four" — Al-Zawraa, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Talaba and Al-Shorta who together contest the Baghdad derbies — dominating the competition almost entirely.^[16]

Between the 1989–90 and 2005–06 seasons, every league title was won by one of these four clubs.^[6] Their sustained dominance was underpinned by structural advantages, including greater institutional support, superior access to financial and sporting resources, and the continued concentration of elite players in Baghdad.

The 1990s were particularly successful for Al-Zawraa, who emerged as the most decorated club of the era. The club won multiple league titles and domestic doubles, including three consecutive championships from 1993–94 to 1995–96. During this period, the league underwent several rebrandings and format adjustments — including changes in naming conventions and competition structure — reflecting ongoing attempts by the Iraq Football Association to modernise and stabilise domestic football governance.

Despite these administrative changes, the competitive hierarchy remained largely unchanged. Provincial clubs occasionally mounted challenges, but were generally unable to sustain title bids over an entire season. As a result, the league during this period was characterised by a high degree of predictability at the top, with the Baghdad-based clubs maintaining near-total control of domestic honours.

The 2003 invasion of Iraq marked a major turning point in the history of the league, bringing a period of profound disruption to Iraqi domestic football. The 2002–03 season was abandoned before completion following the outbreak of conflict, while the 2003–04 campaign was also cancelled due to ongoing security concerns and organisational difficulties.

In the years that followed, the instability in Baghdad significantly altered the competitive landscape. Many players left the capital in search of greater security and financial stability, joining clubs in the comparatively safer northern regions, particularly in the Kurdistan area. This migration of talent weakened the traditional Baghdad-based powerhouses and contributed to a temporary decentralisation of competitive strength.^[17]

As a result, new regional power centres emerged. Erbil became the dominant club of the late 2000s, winning three consecutive league titles from 2006–07 to 2008–09, while Duhok secured the 2009–10 championship.^[18] These successes represented the first sustained challenge to Baghdad dominance since the league's formative years.

The 2008–09 season was particularly notable as the only campaign in which none of the Baghdad Big Four finished in the top four positions. Instead, the leading places were occupied by Erbil, Al-Najaf, Duhok and Al-Amana, underlining the extent of the temporary shift in competitive balance.^[19]

Despite this rebalancing, the decentralisation of power proved short-lived. By the mid-2010s, the traditional Baghdad clubs had largely reasserted their dominance, signalling a return to the league's long-standing competitive structure.

By the mid-2010s, the Iraqi league had undergone a gradual re-centralisation of competitive power, with the traditional Baghdad-based clubs reasserting their dominance. Following the period of regional ascendancy in the late 2000s, the balance of power shifted back towards the capital, driven by improved security conditions, greater financial stability, and the renewed concentration of elite players within the leading Baghdad sides.^[20]

Beginning with the 2015–16 season, every league title was once again won by one of the Baghdad Big Four — Al-Zawraa, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Talaba and Al-Shorta — marking a return to the league's long-standing competitive structure.^[21] This resurgence reflected not only the enduring institutional strength of these clubs, but also the limitations faced by provincial teams in sustaining long-term title challenges.

The decade also saw a series of incremental administrative reforms aimed at modernising Iraqi domestic football. Efforts were made to improve league organisation, infrastructure, and governance standards, although the competition remained officially semi-professional. Despite these developments, structural disparities between clubs persisted, reinforcing the dominance of the capital's leading teams.

A major structural transformation occurred in 2023 when the Iraq Football Association (IFA) signed a three-year partnership agreement with Spain's Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (LaLiga) to professionalise the Iraqi top flight.^[22] As part of this reform, the competition was rebranded as the Iraq Stars League and reorganised to meet the club licensing requirements set by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).^[23]

A new governing body, the Iraqi Pro League Association, was established to operate the competition and oversee its associated youth systems. Chaired by Javier Jiménez Sacristán and Matteo Mantovani, the organisation was tasked with implementing professional standards in league management, commercial operations and infrastructure development.^[24] In parallel, LaLiga began training an Iraqi administrative team to assume full operational control of the league following the conclusion of the partnership.^[25]

The inaugural Iraq Stars League season began on 26 October 2023, marking the first fully professional campaign in the history of Iraqi domestic football.^[26] Al-Shorta won the first edition in 2023–24, securing their third consecutive league title and completing a domestic double. The club extended its dominance in 2024–25, becoming the first team in Iraqi league history to win four consecutive championships.^[27]

This reform signalled a shift from historically state-influenced and semi-professional structures towards a more commercially driven and institutionally modern model.^[28] While the long-standing dominance of Baghdad-based clubs has persisted into the professional era, the introduction of new governance frameworks and regulatory standards is widely seen as a significant step in the long-term development of Iraqi football.^[29]

The Stars League season typically runs from September to June, although scheduling may vary slightly from year to year depending on climatic conditions and international commitments.^[30] There are currently 20 clubs in the Iraq Stars League. Over the course of a season, each club plays the others twice (in a double round-robin system), once at home and once away, for a total of 38 games (however, Baghdad derbies are usually played at the neutral venue of Al-Shaab Stadium to accommodate larger crowds).^[31]

Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, followed by head-to-head points, head-to-head goal difference, total goal difference, goals scored and number of wins.^[31] If teams remain level after all these criteria, teams are deemed to occupy the same position. If there is a tie for the championship, for relegation, or for qualification to other competitions, a play-off match at a neutral venue decides rank.^[31]

Each club must register a 25-man squad for the season, but are not required to register players who have been registered for their reserve or youth teams. Each club is allowed a maximum of six foreign outfield players in their squad (no foreign goalkeepers are allowed), and can register one additional foreign player of Yemeni nationality provided that the player has represented the Yemen national team in the past three years. Only six foreign players including Yemeni players can play at any given time, and no more than two players from countries ranked below 90th in the FIFA Men's World Ranking can play at any given time. A maximum of five substitutions are available per match for each team.^[32]

The winners of the league qualify for the Iraqi Super Cup, a match played against the winners of the Iraq FA Cup (if the league winners also win the Iraq FA Cup, they play the league runners-up instead).^[33]

The bottom two teams in the Stars League are relegated to the Iraqi Premier Division League, while the top two teams from the Premier Division League are promoted to the Stars League. The team finishing 18th in the Stars League enters a play-off against the winner of the play-out round between the 3rd and 4th-placed teams from the Premier Division League for a spot in the next season’s Stars League.^[34]

Number of clubs in the Iraqi top-flight
Season(s)	No. of clubs	Competition format
1974–75	10 clubs	Double round-robin
1975–76	13 clubs
1976–77	12 clubs	Double round-robin (cut short to a single round-robin)
1977–78	14 clubs	Single round-robin
1978–79	13 clubs
1979–80	12 clubs	Double round-robin
1980–81		Single round-robin
1981–82 to 1982–83		Double round-robin
1983–84	13 clubs	Double round-robin
1984–85	14 clubs
1985–86	16 clubs	Single round-robin
1986–87	12 clubs	Quadruple round-robin
1987–88	16 clubs	Double round-robin
1988–89	29 clubs	Regional stage → national stage → knockout stage
1989–90	14 clubs	Double round-robin
1990–91	16 clubs
1991–92	20 clubs
1992–93	24 clubs	Triple round-robin
1993–94	26 clubs	Double round-robin
1994–95	24 clubs
1995–96	12 clubs
1996–97 to 1998–99	16 clubs
1999–2000	26 clubs
2000–01	16 clubs
2001–02 to 2002–03	20 clubs
2003–04	25 clubs	Group stage → elite stage → knockout stage
2004–05	36 clubs
2005–06	28 clubs
2006–07	24 clubs
2007–08	30 clubs	Group stage → elite stage → play-off round → knockout stage
2008–09	28 clubs	Group stage → championship play-off
2009–10	36 clubs	Group stage → elite stage → knockout stage
2010–11	28 clubs	Group stage → championship play-off
2011–12	20 clubs	Double round-robin
2012–13	18 clubs
2013–14	16 clubs
2014–15	20 clubs	Group stage → elite stage → championship play-off
2015–16		Group stage → elite stage
2016–17 to 2018–19		Double round-robin
2019–20		Double round-robin (restarted as a single round-robin)
2020–21 to present		Double round-robin

The Video assistant referee (VAR) system was introduced in the Iraq Stars League at the start of the 2023–24 season as part of a broader effort to modernise officiating standards and align the competition with international best practices.^[35] Its implementation followed coordination between the Iraq Football Association (IFA) and FIFA, including the completion of technical, regulatory and training requirements necessary for its approval and operation.^[36]

VAR is used to assist the on-field referee in reviewing key match incidents, specifically in four situations: goals, penalty decisions, direct red card offences and cases of mistaken identity. The system relies on a team of video officials located in a centralised control environment, who analyse footage from multiple camera angles and communicate with the referee via a headset. Despite this assistance, the final decision in all cases remains with the on-field referee.^[37]

The introduction of VAR represents a significant step in the professionalisation of Iraqi domestic football, contributing to greater accuracy in decision-making and reinforcing the league’s compliance with evolving Asian Football Confederation (AFC) requirements, particularly in the context of club licensing and eligibility for continental competitions.

Twenty clubs are competing in the 2025–26 Iraq Stars League, including three promoted from the Premier Division League:

2025–26 Club	2024–25 Position	First season in the league	Seasons in the league	First season of current spell in the league	Titles	Most recent title
Al-Gharrafb	2nd (PDL)	2025–26	1	2025–26	0	–
Al-Kahrabaa	13th	2004–05	21	2014–15	0	–
Al-Karkh	15th	1990–91	30	2018–19	0	–
Al-Karmab	8th	2024–25	2	2024–25	0	–
Al-Minaa	16th	1975–76	48	2023–24	1	1977–78
Al-Mosul	1st (PDL)	1982–83	21	2025–26	0	–
Al-Naftb	6th	1985–86	41	1985–86	0	–
Al-Najafb	14th	1987–88	39	1987–88	0	–
Al-Qasimb	10th	2019–20	7	2019–20	0	–
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiyaa, b	5th	1974–75	52	1974–75	7	2020–21
Al-Shortaa, b	1st	1974–75	52	1974–75	8	2024–25
Al-Talabab	4th	1975–76	51	1975–76	5	2001–02
Al-Zawraab	2nd	1975–76	51	1975–76	14	2017–18
Amanat Baghdad	4th playoffs (PDL)	1977–78	28	2025–26	0	–
Diyala	17th	1975–76	16	2024–25	0	–
Duhok	7th	1988–89	23	2022–23	1	2009–10
Erbil	12th	1987–88	34	2018–19	4	2011–12
Naft Maysan	11th	2009–10	15	2013–14	0	–
Newrozb	9th	2021–22	5	2021–22	0	–
Zakho	3rd	2002–03	21	2019–20	0	–

^a: Founding member of the league
^b: Never been relegated from the league

Since its first season in 1974–75 up until the 2025–26 season (not counting the qualifying rounds of the 2000–01 season), 81 teams have participated in at least one round of a top division season. Teams in bold are competing in the Iraq Stars League in the 2025–26 season. Teams in italics represent defunct teams. The year in parentheses represents the most recent year of participation at this level. Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and Al-Shorta are the only teams to have competed in every season.

Club	Titles	Winning seasons
Al-Zawraa	14	1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79, 1990–91, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2005–06, 2010–11, 2015–16, 2017–18
Al-Shorta	8	1979–80, 1997–98, 2012–13, 2018–19, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya	7	1974–75, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1996–97, 2004–05, 2016–17, 2020–21
Al-Talaba	5	1980–81, 1981–82, 1985–86, 1992–93, 2001–02
Erbil	4	2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2011–12
Al-Rasheed	3	1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89
Al-Minaa	1	1977–78
Salahaddin	1	1982–83
Al-Jaish	1	1983–84
Duhok	1	2009–10
Naft Al-Wasat	1	2014–15

The champions of the Iraq Stars League qualify for the subsequent season's AFC Champions League Elite league stage, while the winners of the Iraq FA Cup qualify for the AFC Champions League Two group stage. If the same team wins both the Stars League and the FA Cup, the Stars League runners-up qualify for the AFC Champions League Two group stage. The number of places allocated to Iraqi clubs in AFC competitions depends on the country's position in the AFC club competitions ranking, which is calculated based on the performance of clubs in AFC competitions over the previous four years.^[38]

Collectively, Iraqi teams have reached nine finals of Asian club competitions. Before the foundation of the national league, Aliyat Al-Shorta were the first Iraqi team to participate in the Asian Champion Club Tournament in 1971 and they reached the final, but they refused to play Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv and took the runner-up spot.^[39] Al-Rasheed reached the final of the Asian Club Championship in 1989 but they lost a two-legged final on away goals to Al-Saad of Qatar.^[39] Al-Talaba reached the final of the 1995–96 Asian Cup Winners' Cup but they lost it 2–1 to Bellmare Hiratsuka,^[40] while Al-Zawraa lost the final of the same competition 1–0 to Shimizu S-Pulse in 2000.^[41] Erbil reached the final of Asia's secondary tournament, the AFC Cup, twice in 2012 and 2014 but lost both times to Al-Kuwait and Al-Qadsia respectively.^[17] Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya managed to win the AFC Cup when they beat Indian club Bengaluru FC 1–0 in the 2016 final, and they won the competition for the second consecutive season in 2017 by beating FC Istiklol by the same scoreline. They earned a joint-record third AFC Cup title with a 2–0 defeat of Altyn Asyr in 2018.^[42]

Club	AFC Champions League Elite / Asian Club Championship	AFC Champions League Two / AFC Cup	Asian Cup Winners' Cup
Al-Kahrabaa	–	Zonal semi-finals 2023–24	–
Al-Minaa	Group stage 2006	–	–
Al-Najaf	Group stage 2007	–	–
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya	Round of 16 1998–99	Winners (3) 2016, 2017, 2018	First round (2) 1996–97, 2001–02
Al-Rasheed	Runners-up 1988–89	–	–
Al-Shorta	Quarter-finals 1999–2000	Round of 16 2015	Quarter-finals 1997–98
Al-Talaba	Fourth place 1986	Group stage 2011	Runners-up 1995–96
Al-Zawraa	Fourth place 1996–97	Zonal semi-finals 2017	Runners-up 1999–2000
Aliyat Al-Shorta	Runners-up 1971	–	–
Duhok	–	Quarter-finals 2011	–
Erbil	Group stage 2008	Runners-up (2) 2012, 2014	–
Naft Al-Wasat	–	Round of 16 2016	–

Iraqi clubs also participate in the Arab Club Champions Cup, which is organised by the Union of Arab Football Associations, and the AGCFF Gulf Club Champions League, which is organised by the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation.

Al-Shorta won the inaugural edition of the Arab Club Champions Cup in 1982 by defeating Al-Nejmeh 4–2 on aggregate in the final,^[43] and Al-Rasheed won the Arab Club Champions Cup three times in a row in 1985, 1986 and 1987 making them the competition's joint-most successful side.^[44] Meanwhile, Duhok won the AGCFF Gulf Club Champions League in the 2024–25 season by defeating Al-Qadsia 2–1 on aggregate in the final.^[45]

Club	Arab Club Champions Cup	AGCFF Gulf Club Champions League	Arab Cup Winners' Cup
Al-Jaish	Group stage 1987	–	–
Al-Naft	Round of 16 2018–19	–	–
Al-Najaf	Round of 16 2007–08	–	–
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya	Quarter-finals 2012–13	–	–
Al-Rasheed	Winners (3) 1985, 1986, 1987	–	Third place 1989
Al-Shabab	Third place 1988	–	–
Al-Shorta	Winners 1981–82	–	–
Al-Talaba	Quarter-finals 2003–04	–	–
Al-Zawraa	Round of 16 (2) 2003–04, 2005–06	–	–
Duhok	–	Winners 2024–25	–
Erbil	Round of 32 2006–07	–	–
Naft Al-Wasat	Group stage 2017	–	–
Zakho	–	Semi-finals 2025–26	–

The league was founded as the National Clubs First Division League and has been renamed several times, with the current name of Stars League remaining in place since 2023. The competition has had title sponsorship rights sold to three companies: Zain Iraq in the 2009–10 season,^[46] Asiacell in the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons^[47] and Fuchs in the 2015–16 season.^[48]

Period	Sponsor	Name
1974–1988	No sponsor	National Clubs First Division League
1988–1989		Pan-National Clubs First Division League
1989–1995		National Clubs First Division League
1995–1996		Advanced League
1996–1999		Premier League
1999–2000		First Division League
2000–2002		Elite League
2002–2003		First Division League
2003–2009		Premier League
2009–2010	Zain Iraq	Zain Iraq League
2010–2012	Asiacell	Asiacell Elite League
2012–2013	No sponsor	Elite League
2013–2015		Premier League
2015–2016	Fuchs	Fuchs Premier League
2016–2023	No sponsor	Premier League
2023–present		Stars League

The television rights for the Iraq Stars League are held by the Iraqi state broadcaster Al-Iraqiya through its sports channel, Al-Iraqiya Sports. In 2025, Al-Iraqiya Sports acquired the broadcasting rights for multiple domestic competitions, including the Iraq Stars League, the Iraqi Premier Division League, the Iraq FA Cup, the Iraqi Super Cup, and the Iraqi Futsal Pro League. The agreement, which also includes production rights, was reportedly valued at approximately 17 billion Iraqi dinars (around US$13 million) and involves both the Iraqi Pro League Association and its commercial partner, Ishtar Company.^[49]

Several Arab broadcasters have entered into negotiations with Al-Iraqiya Sports to obtain secondary rights. These include the Qatari network Al-Kass Sports Channels for selected high-profile matches and MBC Group for highlights coverage. Access to stadiums and media activities is regulated by Al-Iraqiya Sports, with other broadcasters required to reach agreements in order to provide on-site coverage and sports programming.

The development of stadium infrastructure in Iraqi top-level football is closely linked to state-led planning and the emergence of modern sporting facilities in the second half of the twentieth century. Prior to the 1960s, Iraq lacked a stadium capable of meeting international standards, with football primarily played in smaller venues such as Al-Kashafa Stadium.^[50] This limitation reflected the broader absence of large-scale sporting infrastructure despite the growing popularity of the game.

A major turning point came with the construction of Al-Shaab Stadium in Baghdad, officially opened in 1966. Initiated under the government of Abd al-Karim Qasim and developed through a state-backed agreement with the Gulbenkian Foundation, the project formed part of a wider programme of national infrastructure development financed in part by oil revenues. With a capacity of around 50,000 spectators and integrated into a larger multi-sport complex, the stadium was designed to serve not only as a football venue but as a central hub for national sporting activity.^[51]

For several decades, Al-Shaab Stadium functioned as the primary venue for major domestic and international matches, including fixtures involving the capital’s leading clubs. Its prominence illustrates the historical concentration of football infrastructure in Baghdad and the reliance on large, state-built, multi-purpose venues rather than club-owned stadiums. This model shaped the organisation of the league, with high-profile matches frequently centralised in a limited number of major grounds rather than distributed across club-specific facilities.

From the 2010s onwards, however, the stadium landscape underwent a significant transformation. Large-scale projects such as Basra International Stadium (opened in 2013),^[52] Karbala International Stadium (2016),^[53] Al-Najaf International Stadium (2018),^[54] and Al-Minaa Olympic Stadium (2022)^[55] marked a shift towards a more geographically distributed model, extending top-level infrastructure beyond Baghdad. This expansion enabled clubs from southern and central regions to host high-level matches locally, contributing to a broader territorial integration of the league.

At the same time, the system evolved into a more clearly stratified structure. Major venues such as Basra International Stadium function as national arenas suited to international fixtures and large-scale events, while mid-sized stadiums — including Al-Shaab, Al-Madina Stadium and Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil — serve as regular hosts for domestic competition. More recently, the emergence of club-oriented facilities such as Al-Zawraa Stadium (reopened in 2022), Newroz Stadium (opened in 2024) and Al-Shorta Stadium (2025) reflects a growing emphasis on stable home grounds and club identity within the professional era.^[56]

Despite this diversification, public authorities remain central actors in the development and ownership of major stadiums. This distinguishes the Iraqi model from more commercialised leagues in which clubs typically own and operate their own facilities. Instead, Iraqi football operates within a hybrid framework in which state investment provides the structural backbone, while leading clubs increasingly seek greater operational autonomy.

Managers in the Iraq Stars League are involved in the day-to-day running of the team, including the training, team selection and player acquisition. Their influence varies from club-to-club. Managers are required to have an AFC Pro-Diploma which is the highest level of coaching accreditation issued by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).^[57]

Current Iraq Stars League managers

Manager	Nationality	Club	Appointed	Time as manager
Adel Nima	Iraq	Al-Naft	8 August 2024	1 year, 266 days
Yamen Zelfani	Tunisia	Diyala	12 November 2024	1 year, 170 days
Moamen Soliman	Egypt	Al-Shorta	17 March 2025	1 year, 45 days
Ayman Hakeem	Syria	Al-Karkh	3 July 2025	302 days
Rashid Jaber	Oman	Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya	29 July 2025	276 days
Basim Qasim	Iraq	Erbil	6 August 2025	268 days
Abdul-Ghani Shahad	Iraq	Duhok	14 October 2025	199 days
Wali Kareem	Iraq	Newroz	28 October 2025	185 days
Ahmed Abdul-Jabar	Iraq	Al-Kahrabaa	28 October 2025	185 days
Alireza Mansourian	Iran	Al-Talaba	28 November 2025	154 days
Ahmed Khalaf	Iraq	Amanat Baghdad	28 November 2025	154 days
Haitham Al-Shboul	Jordan	Al-Mosul	28 January 2026	93 days
Haidar Aboodi	Iraq	Al-Qasim	1 February 2026	89 days
Ayoub Odisho	Iraq	Zakho	13 February 2026	77 days
Luay Salah	Iraq	Al-Zawraa	25 February 2026	65 days
Ali Abdul-Jabbar	Iraq	Naft Maysan	25 February 2026	65 days
Hussein Abdul-Wahed	Iraq	Al-Minaa	27 February 2026	63 days
Chasib Sultan	Iraq	Al-Najaf	3 March 2026	59 days
Essam Hamad	Iraq	Al-Karma	3 March 2026	59 days
Qahtan Chathir	Iraq	Al-Gharraf	23 March 2026	39 days

As of 27 April 2026.^[6]

Rank	Player	Goals	First app	Last app	Club(s) (goals)
1	Amjad Radhi	180[b]	2007	2024	Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (97), Erbil (75), Al-Najaf (8)
2	Sahib Abbas	177	1988	2012	Salahaddin (42), Al-Zawraa (62), Al-Talaba (18), Karbala (50), Al-Sinaa (5)
3	Alaa Abdul-Zahra	172	2004	present	Al-Zawraa (54), Duhok (26), Al-Shorta (78), Al-Minaa (11), Al-Talaba (3)
4	Karim Saddam	171	1979	1996	Al-Sinaa (23), Al-Jaish (11), Al-Rasheed (4), Al-Zawraa (127), Al-Shorta (6)
5	Ali Hashim	170	1987	2004	Al-Najaf (149), Al-Karkh (21)
6	Hussein Abdullah	167	1991	2010	Al-Sinaa (32), Al-Naft (16), Diyala (40), Duhok (58), Erbil (14), Kirkuk (2), Pires (5)
7	Hammadi Ahmed	162[c]	2005	2023	Samarra (19), Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (143)
8	Younis Abid Ali	157	1983	2000	Al-Shorta (135), Al-Rasheed (15), Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (3), Al-Difaa Al-Jawi (4)
9	Ahmed Radhi	146	1981	1999	Al-Zawraa (103), Al-Rasheed (43)
10	Alaa Kadhim	145	1988	2007	Al-Sinaa (8), Al-Talaba (137)

Bold denotes players still playing in the Iraq Stars League.

The current Iraq Stars League trophy was unveiled on 13 July 2024 and was designed and sculpted by the Iraqi painter and sculptor Ahmed Albahrani. It features a predominantly silver structure with curved, textured forms rising upward in a spiral shape. The trophy is topped by a stylised football composed of interlocking silver panels with gold accents. Its base is rectangular and bears an engraved plaque displaying the words "Iraq Stars League" in both English and Arabic, alongside the competition’s logo and the season.^[58][59]

After each round of matches, fans vote for the 'Player of the Round' from a five-man shortlist posted on the Iraq Stars League's social media channels. 'Player of the Month' and 'Manager of the Month' awards are handed out at the end of each month, selected by a panel of experts.^[60]

At the end of each season, the 'Golden Boot' is awarded to the top scorer, while the 'Player of the Season' is selected by an expert panel and the 'Goal of the Season' is voted for by fans.^[61][62]

Titles

• Most titles: 14, Al-Zawraa^[63]
• Most consecutive title wins: 4, Al-Shorta (2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25)^[63]
• Biggest title-winning margin: 21 points, 2021–22; Al-Shorta (91 points) over Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (70 points)^[64]
• Smallest title-winning margin: 0 points, 0 goal difference and 2 wins – 1980–81; Al-Talaba (8 wins) over Al-Shorta (6 wins)^[65]
• Earliest title win with the most games remaining: 7 games, Al-Shorta (2021–22)^[64]

Wins

• Most consecutive wins: 11 – joint record:
  • Al-Shorta (13 March – 22 May 1998)^[66]
  • Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (22 January – 26 March 2026)^[67]
• Most consecutive wins from the start of a season: 9 – joint record:^[68]
  • Erbil (2008–09)
  • Al-Zawraa (2017–18)
• Most consecutive wins to the end of a season: 11, Al-Shorta (1997–98)^[66]
• Defeated all league opponents at least once in a season: joint record:^[69]
  • Al-Tayaran (1974–75, 9 opponents)
  • Al-Zawraa (2000–01, 15 opponents)
  • Al-Shorta (2021–22, 19 opponents)

Losses

• Fewest losses in a season: 0 – joint record:^[6]
  • Al-Zawraa four times (1976–77, 11 rounds, 1978–79, 12 rounds, 2005–06, 19 rounds, 2015–16, 24 rounds)
  • Al-Jamiea (1976–77, 11 rounds)
  • Al-Minaa (1977–78, 13 rounds)
  • Al-Shorta (1980–81, 11 rounds)
  • Salahaddin (1982–83, 22 rounds)
  • Al-Jaish (1983–84, 24 rounds)
• Longest unbeaten run: 39 games – joint record:^[70]
  • Al-Zawraa (25 November 1993 – 3 October 1994)
  • Al-Shorta (21 May 2018 – 23 May 2019)

Goals

• Most consecutive matches scored in: 43, Al-Shorta (4 April 1997 – 13 November 1998)^[71]
• Most consecutive matches without conceding a goal: 14, Erbil (16 July 2009 – 20 March 2010)^[72]
• Scored in every match during a season: joint record:^[6]
  • Al-Shorta twice (1980–81, 11 rounds, and 1997–98, 30 rounds)
  • Al-Zawraa (1976–77, 11 rounds)
  • Al-Minaa (1977–78, 13 rounds)
  • Karbala (2005–06, 16 rounds up to elimination)

Scorelines

• Highest scoring match: 11 goals – joint record:^[73]
  • Al-Naqil 11–0 Al-Shorta (12 October 1974)
  • Al-Ramadi 11–0 Kirkuk (15 May 1995)
  • Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 9–2 Al-Diwaniya (11 May 2023)

Attendances

• Highest attendance, single game: 68,000, Al-Shorta v. Al-Zawraa (at Al-Shaab Stadium, 13 December 1991)^[74]

Appearances

• Youngest player: Mohanad Ali, 13 years and 279 days (for Al-Shorta v. Al-Talaba, 26 March 2014)^[75]

Titles

• Most titles: 7 – joint record:^[76]
  • Salam Hashim (three with Al-Rasheed in 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89 and four with Al-Zawraa in 1990–91, 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96)
  • Mudhahar Khalaf (three with Al-Rasheed in 1986–87, 1987–88 and 1988–89, three with Al-Zawraa in 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96 and one with Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in 1996–97)
  • Mohamed Jassim Mahdi (seven with Al-Zawraa in 1990–91, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01)
• Most titles as captain: 3 – joint record:^[77]
  • Hazem Jassam (three with Al-Zawraa in 1975–76, 1976–77 and 1978–79)
  • Ahmed Radhi (one with Al-Rasheed in 1988–89 and two with Al-Zawraa in 1990–91 and 1998–99)
  • Rafid Badr Al-Deen (three with Erbil in 2006–07, 2007–08 and 2008–09)
  • Alaa Abdul-Zahra (three with Al-Shorta in 2021–22, 2022–23 and 2023–24)

Goals

• Most goals: 180, Amjad Radhi^[6]
• Most goals for one club: 149, Ali Hashim (for Al-Najaf)^[6]
• Most top scorer awards: 4, Karim Saddam (1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93)^[63]
• Most consecutive top scorer awards: 3 – joint record:^[63]
  • Rahim Hameed (1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88)
  • Karim Saddam (1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91)
• Most goals in a season: 36, Younis Abid Ali (1993–94, 50 rounds)^[63]
• Most goals in a single game: 6 – joint record:^[78]
  • Shakir Mohammed Sabbar (for Al-Ramadi v. Kirkuk, 15 May 1995)
  • Sahib Abbas (for Al-Zawraa v. Al-Karkh, 18 October 1996)
  • Alaa Kadhim (for Al-Talaba v. Al-Mosul, 9 January 1998)
• Fastest goal: 9.504 seconds, Alaa Abdul-Zahra (for Al-Shorta v. Naft Al-Junoob, 21 October 2018)^[79]
• Most hat-tricks: 10 – joint record:^[6]
  • Qahtan Chathir
  • Sahib Abbas
• Most hat-tricks in a season: 4, Qahtan Chathir (Al-Karkh, 1999–2000)^[6]

Titles

The following managers have won multiple titles:^[80]

Manager	Club(s)	Wins	Winning seasons
Ayoub Odisho	Al-Talaba, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (2), Al-Zawraa	4	1992–93, 1996–97, 2017–18, 2020–21
Jamal Salih	Al-Talaba, Al-Rasheed (2)	3	1981–82, 1987–88, 1988–89
Thair Ahmed	Al-Talaba, Erbil (2)		2001–02, 2007–08, 2008–09
Basim Qasim	Duhok, Al-Zawraa, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya		2009–10, 2015–16, 2016–17
Moamen Soliman	Al-Shorta		2021–22, 2023–24, 2024–25
Saadi Salih	Al-Zawraa	2	1975–76, 1976–77
Ammo Baba	Al-Talaba, Al-Zawraa		1980–81, 1993–94
Amer Jameel	Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Zawraa		1989–90, 1998–99
Adnan Hamad	Al-Zawraa		1995–96, 1999–2000
Sabah Abdul-Jalil	Al-Zawraa, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya		2000–01, 2004–05

The all-time Iraqi top-flight table is a cumulative record of all match results, points and goals of every club that has played in the Iraqi top division since its nationwide club era began in 1974. The table that follows is accurate as of the end of the 2024–25 season using three points for a win.

Results from the regional stage of the 1988–89 season, the qualifying rounds of the 2000–01 season, and any annulled results from other seasons are not included in the all-time table.^[6]

Teams in bold competed in the Iraq Stars League in the 2024–25 season. Numbers in bold are the highest values in each column.

Pos.	Club	Seasons	Titles	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	PpG
1	Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya	51	7	1,443	838	368	237	2,380	1,092	+1,288	2,882	1.997
2	Al-Zawraa	50	14	1,414	801	393	220	2,417	1,057	+1,360	2,796	1.977
3	Al-Shorta	50	8	1,421	757	396	268	2,226	1,175	+1,051	2,667	1.877
4	Al-Talaba	50	5	1,403	694	396	313	2,082	1,219	+863	2,478	1.766
5	Al-Najaf	38	0	1,165	494	356	315	1,475	1,042	+433	1,838	1.578
6	Al-Minaa	47	1	1,300	442	439	419	1,354	1,381	−27	1,765	1.358
7	Al-Naft	39	0	1,208	446	392	370	1,378	1,210	+168	1,730	1.432
8	Erbil	33	4	976	356	272	348	1,222	1,231	−9	1,340	1.373
9	Al-Karkh	29	0	920	321	300	299	1,130	1,011	+119	1,263	1.373
10	Al-Sinaa	38	0	1,019	287	350	382	947	1,141	−194	1,211	1.188
11	Al-Jaish	31	1	782	286	229	267	869	844	+25	1,087	1.390
12	Duhok	21	1	594	270	180	144	789	557	+232	990	1.667
13	Amanat Baghdad	26	0	674	216	223	235	664	677	−13	871	1.292
14	Karbala	23	0	741	202	223	316	709	1,004	−295	829	1.119
15	Salahaddin	23	1	661	179	231	251	615	780	−165	768	1.162
16	Samarra	23	0	699	184	211	304	672	966	−294	763	1.092
17	Al-Kahrabaa	20	0	574	178	199	197	622	622	0	733	1.277
18	Zakho	20	0	535	173	187	175	547	540	+7	706	1.320
19	Naft Al-Basra	20	0	560	163	179	218	546	640	−94	668	1.193
20	Al-Mosul	19	0	590	155	188	247	516	789	−273	653	1.107
21	Al-Ramadi	14	0	462	134	140	188	505	636	−131	542	1.173
22	Naft Maysan	14	0	422	125	148	149	447	485	−38	523	1.239
23	Diyala	14	0	459	120	137	202	430	637	−207	497	1.083
24	Al-Diwaniya	14	0	507	109	155	243	419	722	−303	482	0.951
25	Al-Shabab	14	0	362	110	126	126	353	391	−38	456	1.260
26	Naft Al-Wasat	10	1	320	110	123	87	337	306	+31	453	1.416
27	Kirkuk	19	0	543	97	148	298	418	922	−504	439	0.808
28	Al-Samawa	17	0	466	97	129	240	401	672	−271	420	0.901
29	Al-Kut	10	0	373	100	96	177	371	535	−164	396	1.062
30	Al-Nasiriya	11	0	386	93	110	183	381	613	−232	389	1.008
31	Al-Hudood	13	0	404	84	132	188	348	549	−201	384	0.950
32	Al-Rasheed	6	3	139	84	39	16	239	83	+156	291	2.094
33	Al-Tijara	14	0	289	62	93	134	212	344	−132	279	0.965
34	Al-Bahri	9	0	253	48	81	124	219	365	−146	225	0.889
35	Al-Difaa Al-Jawi	6	0	169	59	46	64	193	214	−21	223	1.320
36	Al-Qasim	6	0	193	48	70	75	190	243	−53	214	1.109
37	Newroz	4	0	152	57	40	55	192	176	+16	211	1.388
38	Masafi Al-Wasat	6	0	171	48	49	74	147	202	−55	193	1.129
39	Maysan	9	0	226	41	67	118	178	357	−179	190	0.841
40	Al-Khutoot	3	0	157	40	56	61	119	167	−48	176	1.121
41	Al-Umal	3	0	165	35	56	74	141	229	−88	161	0.976
42	Al-Kadhimiya	6	0	176	35	53	88	159	284	−125	158	0.898
43	Al-Sulaikh	8	0	209	32	61	116	132	293	−161	157	0.751
44	Sulaymaniya	8	0	180	36	44	100	156	325	−169	152	0.844
45	Al-Sinaat Al-Kahrabaiya	4	0	122	32	41	49	116	138	−22	137	1.123
46	Babil	7	0	178	32	36	110	143	312	−169	132	0.742
47	Pires	5	0	87	26	30	31	90	91	−1	108	1.241
48	Al-Amara	2	0	96	20	27	49	74	138	−64	87	0.906
49	Al-Kufa	3	0	74	19	26	29	69	80	−11	83	1.122
50	Al-Hussein	3	0	112	13	38	61	78	162	−84	77	0.688
51	Al-Baladiyat	3	0	53	19	16	18	55	60	−5	73	1.377
52	Sirwan	4	0	59	15	23	21	47	61	−14	68	1.153
53	Al-Etisalat	3	0	80	15	20	45	59	110	−51	65	0.813
54	Al-Karma	1	0	38	15	11	12	43	35	+8	56	1.474
55	Al-Shirqat	2	0	71	12	18	41	44	112	−68	54	0.761
56	Al-Hasanain	2	0	60	12	15	33	39	85	−46	51	0.850
57	Al-Hindiya	2	0	59	9	17	33	49	96	−47	44	0.746
58	Al-Salam	1	0	38	10	13	15	32	34	−2	43	1.132
59	Al-Naqil	1	0	18	13	3	2	47	11	+36	42	2.333
60	Al-Ittihad	4	0	58	10	11	37	38	89	−51	41	0.707
61	Al-Muwasalat	1	0	18	12	3	3	29	13	+16	39	2.167
62	Al-Taji	1	0	38	6	16	16	37	66	−29	34	0.895
63	Al-Shatra	3	0	40	7	9	24	31	60	−29	30	0.750
64	Al-Hilla	3	0	48	6	12	30	27	79	−52	30	0.625
65	Al-Basra	3	0	49	4	13	32	31	88	−57	25	0.510
66	Al-Shuala	2	0	38	6	5	27	28	81	−53	23	0.605
67	Peshmerga	1	0	26	5	7	14	19	31	−12	22	0.846
68	Balad	1	0	16	6	3	7	14	18	−4	21	1.313
69	Al-Furat	2	0	28	6	3	19	24	59	−35	21	0.750
70	Al-Adala	2	0	30	4	6	20	12	40	−28	18	0.600
71	Haifa	1	0	50	3	9	38	27	114	−87	18	0.360
72	Iraq U19	1	0	13	4	5	4	8	13	−5	17	1.308
73	Al-Thawra	2	0	25	4	4	17	21	46	−25	16	0.640
74	Masafi Al-Junoob	1	0	33	2	8	23	20	76	−56	14	0.424
75	Ararat	1	0	12	2	5	5	6	18	−12	11	0.917
76	Al-Rafidain	1	0	18	0	3	15	7	41	−34	3	0.167
77	Al-Adhamiya	1	0	11	0	1	10	3	29	−26	1	0.091

• List of Iraqi football champions
• Iraqi clubs in the AFC Club Competitions
• Iraqi Women's Football League

• Iraq Football Association Archived 8 July 2023 at the Wayback Machine