Iraq Stars League
The Iraq Stars League is the top professional football division in Iraq,
officially rebranded from the Iraqi Premier League in 2023.
Organized by the Iraq Football Association (IFA), it is one of the oldest and
most competitive leagues in the Middle East, featuring legendary clubs such as
Al-Shorta, Al-Zawraa, and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya.
History and facts
The first national league in Iraq was launched in 1974–75. Since then, the competition grew into one of Asia’s toughest leagues, known for passionate fan support, historic rivalries, and strong military-affiliated clubs.
In 2023, the league was renamed the Iraq Stars League with new branding, professional licensing standards, and upgraded media production.
Iraq’s top clubs regularly compete in the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup, with Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya famously winning the AFC Cup three times in a row.
League system
The Iraq Stars League currently features 20 teams.
At the end of each season, the bottom clubs are relegated to the
Iraqi Division One, while top teams from Division One earn promotion.
Table 1. Iraq football league pyramid
| League | Tier |
|---|---|
| Iraq Stars League | 1 |
| Iraqi Division One | 2 |
| Iraqi Division Two | 3 |
Regional leagues operate below Division Two.
Stats
Teams with most titles
Table 2. Most Iraq Stars League titles
| Club | Titles |
|---|---|
| Al-Zawraa | 14 |
| Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | 7 |
| Al-Shorta | 6 |
| Al-Talaba | 5 |
| Erbil SC | 4 |
Al-Zawraa is the most decorated club in Iraqi football history.
Teams with most league participation
Table 3. Most seasons in Iraq Stars League
| Club | Seasons |
|---|---|
| Al-Zawraa | 45+ |
| Al-Shorta | 40+ |
| Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya | 40+ |
| Al-Talaba | 35+ |
| Duhok SC | 25+ |
These clubs have been long-term pillars of Iraqi football.
Audience
Major stadiums
Table 4. Major stadiums in Iraq Stars League
| Stadium | City | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Basra International Stadium | Basra | 65,000 |
| Al-Shaab Stadium | Baghdad | 40,000 |
| Franso Hariri Stadium | Erbil | 25,000 |
| Al-Talaba Stadium | Baghdad | 30,000 |
| Al-Shorta Stadium | Baghdad | 10,000 |
Players
Famous players
- Younis Mahmoud
- Hussein Saeed
- Ali Adnan
- Ayman Hussein
- Alaa Abdul-Zahra
- Mahdi Kamil
- Yaser Kasim
- Saad Abdul-Amir
Iraq Stars League timeline
1974
Iraq’s first national league is established.
1990s
Al-Zawraa dominates Iraqi football.
2010s
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya wins multiple AFC Cups.
2023
League officially rebrands to Iraq Stars League.
2024
New commercial partnerships and digital expansion.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Stars_League
https://ifa.iq/
https://rsssf.org
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Stars_League
https://ifa.iq/
https://rsssf.org
