Iraq Stars League Explained
The Iraq Stars League (Arabic: دوري نجوم العراق|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 League, the first nationwide league of clubs in Iraq, and later became known as the Iraqi Premier League. In 2023, the competition was transformed into a professional league under the name Iraq Stars League. 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 80 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-Quwa Al-Jawiya (7), Al-Shorta (7) and Al-Talaba (5), who together contest the Baghdad derbies. The current champions are Al-Shorta, who won their third consecutive title in 2023–24.
History
Origins
See main article: Iraqi National First Division. Up until 1973, leagues in Iraq were played at a regional level.[1] The Central FA League, the Basra League and the Kirkuk League were all founded in 1948,[2] while the Mosul League was founded in 1950.[3] The first nationwide league to be held in the country was in the 1973–74 season when the Iraqi National First Division was formed,[4] with Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya being crowned champions.[5] The IFA then decided to replace the competition with a new National Clubs League which would only be open to clubs and not institute-representative teams.
Foundation
The league held its first season in 1974–75 and was originally composed of ten clubs.[6] 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.[7] Al-Tayaran were crowned champions of the inaugural season which featured the following teams:[8]
"Stars League" formation
On 4 June 2023, Iraq Football Association (IFA) signed a three-year partnership agreement with Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (LaLiga) to transform the Iraqi Premier League into a professional league from the 2023–24 season. The competition is named the Iraq Stars League and is designed to meet the licensing criteria set down by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). A new association named the Iraqi Pro League Association, chaired by Javier Jiménez Sacristán and Matteo Mantovani, was formed to operate the competition and supervise the associated youth leagues.[9] An Iraqi management team is also being trained by LaLiga to take control of the committee once the partnership deal ends.[10] A start date of 26 October 2023 was set for the first Stars League season.[11]
"Baghdad's Big Four" dominance
See main article: Baghdad derbies.
Results of the 'Big Four' from 1990 to 2002| Season | | | | |
|---|
| 1 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| 8 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| | 11 | 8 | 10 | 13 |
| out of 13 |
League champions
|
|
Ever since the league began, it has been dominated by the four biggest clubs in Baghdad: Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Shorta, Al-Talaba and Al-Zawraa, who together contest the Baghdad derbies.[12] From the 1989–90 season until the 2005–06 season, the league was won by one of the four Baghdad teams every time. After the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, players started to leave the Baghdad-based clubs and join clubs in the North such as Erbil and Duhok due to the economic instability and security issues in the capital city.[13] This led to a shift in the dominance of the "Big Four" as Erbil won three consecutive league titles from 2007 to 2009 with Duhok winning the league in 2010.[14] In the 2008–09 season, none of Baghdad's Big Four clubs finished in the top four and this is the only time that this has happened in the history of the league; the top four spots were occupied by Erbil, Al-Najaf, Duhok and Al-Amana.[15] However, Baghdad's Big Four have since returned to dominating the league, having won all titles since 2015–16.
Competition format
Competition
There are currently 20 clubs in the Iraq Stars League. During the course of a season, each club plays the others twice (a double round-robin system), once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for a total of 38 games (however, matches between Baghdad's Big Four clubs are played at the neutral venue of Al-Shaab Stadium to accommodate more spectators).[16]
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, then head-to-head points, then head-to-head goal difference, then total goal difference, then goals scored and then number of wins.[16] If still equal, 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.[16]
The two teams at the bottom of the league table are relegated to the Iraqi Premier Division League, while the top two teams in the Premier Division League are promoted to the Stars League. The 18th-placed team in the Stars League competes in a play-off with the 3rd-placed team from the Premier Division League for a place in the following season's Stars League.
Each club must submit a 25-man squad for the season. Clubs are not required to register players from their youth or reserve teams as these players are automatically eligible. Each club is allowed a maximum of six foreign outfield players in their squad, however this restriction does not apply to Yemeni players. 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.[17]
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).[18]
Clubs
2024–25 season
Twenty clubs are competing in the 2024–25 Iraq Stars League, including two promoted from the Premier Division League:
2024–25
Club | 2023–24
Position | First season in
the league | Seasons
in the
league | First season of
current spell in
the league | Titles | Most
recent title |
|---|
| 9th | 2008–09 | 13 | 2022–23 | 0 | – |
| 13th | 2004–05 | 20 | 2014–15 | 0 | – |
| 15th | 1990–91 | 29 | 2018–19 | 0 | – |
| Al-Karmab | 2nd (PDL) | 2024–25 | 1 | 2024–25 | 0 | – |
| 12th | 1975–76 | 47 | 2023–24 | 1 | 1977–78 |
| Al-Naftb | 11th | 1985–86 | 40 | 1985–86 | 0 | – |
| Al-Najafb | 4th | 1987–88 | 38 | 1987–88 | 0 | – |
| Al-Qasimb | 17th | 2019–20 | 6 | 2019–20 | 0 | – |
| Al-Quwa Al-Jawiyaa, b | 2nd | 1974–75 | 51 | 1974–75 | 7 | 2020–21 |
| Al-Shortaa, b | 1st | 1974–75 | 51 | 1974–75 | 7 | 2023–24 |
| Al-Talabab | 8th | 1975–76 | 50 | 1975–76 | 5 | 2001–02 |
| Al-Zawraab | 3rd | 1975–76 | 50 | 1975–76 | 14 | 2017–18 |
| 1st (PDL) | 1975–76 | 15 | 2024–25 | 0 | – |
| 6th | 1988–89 | 22 | 2022–23 | 1 | 2009–10 |
| 14th | 1987–88 | 33 | 2018–19 | 4 | 2011–12 |
| 16th | 1992–93 | 23 | 2022–23 | 0 | – |
| | 18th | 2004–05 | 20 | 2012–13 | 0 | – |
| 10th | 2009–10 | 14 | 2013–14 | 0 | – |
| Newrozb | 7th | 2021–22 | 4 | 2021–22 | 0 | – |
| 5th | 2002–03 | 20 | 2019–20 | 0 | – | |
a: Founding member of the league
b: Never been relegated from the league
Map
Seasons
Since its first season in 1974–75 up until the 2024–25 season (not counting the qualifying rounds of the 2000–01 season), 80 teams have taken part in at least a single round. The teams in bold are competing in the Iraq Stars League in the 2024–25 season. Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and Al-Shorta are the only teams to have played in every single one of the 51 seasons.
|
| - 14 seasons: Al-Ramadi, Naft Maysan
- 13 seasons: Al-Hudood
- 12 seasons: Al-Nasiriya
- 10 seasons: Al-Kut, Naft Al-Wasat
- 9 seasons: Al-Bahri, Al-Sulaikh, Maysan, Sulaymaniya
- 8 seasons: Babil
- 6 seasons: Al-Difaa Al-Jawi, Al-Kadhimiya, Al-Qasim, Al-Rasheed, Masafi Al-Wasat
- 5 seasons: Peris
- 4 seasons: Al-Ittihad, Al-Sinaat Al-Kahrabaiya, Newroz, Sirwan
- 3 seasons: Al-Amara, Al-Baladiyat, Al-Basra, Al-Etisalat, Al-Hilla, Al-Hussein, Al-Khutoot, Al-Kufa, Al-Shatra, Al-Umal
- 2 seasons: Al-Adala, Al-Furat, Al-Hasanain, Al-Hindiya, Al-Salam, Al-Shirqat, Al-Shuala, Al-Thawra, Iraq U19
- 1 season: Al-Adhamiya, Al-Dawr Al-Ahli, Al-Jamahir, Al-Karma, Al-Muwasalat, Al-Naqil, Al-Numaniya, Al-Rafidain, Al-Taji, Ararat, Balad, Haifa, Masafi Al-Junoob, Peshmerga
| |
- Notes
Champions
See main article: List of Iraqi football champions.
| Club | Titles | Winning seasons |
|---|
| Al-Zawraa | 14 | |
| 7 | 1974–75, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1996–97, 2004–05, 2016–17, 2020–21 |
| Al-Shorta | 7 | 1979–80, 1997–98, 2012–13, 2018–19, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
| 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 |
|
International competitions
Qualification for Asian competitions
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 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 is dependent upon the position the country holds in the AFC Club Competitions Ranking, which is calculated based upon the performance of teams in AFC competitions in the previous four years.[19]
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.[20] 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.[20] Al-Talaba reached the final of the 1995 Asian Cup Winners' Cup but they lost it 2–1 to Bellmare Hiratsuka,[21] and five years later, Al-Zawraa lost the final of the same competition 1–0 to Shimizu S-Pulse in 2000.[22] 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.[13] 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.[23]
Qualification for Arab competitions
Iraqi clubs also participate in the Arab Club Champions Cup, which is organised by the Union of Arab Football Associations, and the Gulf Club Champions League, which is organised by the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation. Al-Shorta won the inaugural Arab Club Champions Cup in 1982 by defeating Al-Nejmeh 4–2 on aggregate in the final.[24] Meanwhile, Al-Rasheed won the Arab Club Champions Cup three times in a row in 1985, 1986 and 1987 and are the competition's joint-most successful side.[25]
Sponsorship
The league was founded as the National Clubs League and has been renamed several times, with the current Stars League name remaining in place since 2023. The competition has had title sponsorship rights sold to three companies, which were Zain Iraq in the 2009–10 season,[26] Asiacell in the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons[27] and Fuchs in the 2015–16 season.[28]
| Period | Sponsor | Name |
|---|
| 1974–1988 | No sponsor | National Clubs League |
| 1988–1989 | Pan-National Clubs League |
| 1989–1995 | National Clubs 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 | |
Players
Top scorers
See also: List of Iraq Stars League top scorers. [29]
| Rank | Player | Goals | | | Club(s) (goals) |
|---|
| 1 | | 181 | 2007 | present | Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (98), Erbil (75), Al-Najaf (8) |
| 2 | | 177 | 1988 | 2012 | Salahaddin (42), Al-Zawraa (62), Al-Talaba (18), Karbala (50), Al-Sinaa (5) |
| 3 | | 171 | 1979 | 1996 | Al-Sinaa (23), Al-Jaish (11), Al-Rasheed (4), Al-Zawraa (127), Al-Shorta (6) |
| 4 | | 170 | 1987 | 2004 | Al-Najaf (149), Al-Karkh (21) |
| 5 | | 167 | 1991 | 2010 | Al-Sinaa (32), Al-Naft (16), Diyala (40), Duhok (58), Erbil (14), Kirkuk (2), Peris (5) |
| 6 | | 163 | 2005 | 2023 | Samarra (19), Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (144) |
| 7 | | 158 | 2004 | present | Al-Zawraa (54), Duhok (26), Al-Shorta (78) |
| 8 | | 157 | 1983 | 2000 | Al-Shorta (135), Al-Rasheed (15), Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (3), Al-Difaa Al-Jawi (4) |
| 9 | | 146 | 1981 | 1999 | Al-Zawraa (103), Al-Rasheed (43) |
| 10 | | 145 | 1988 | 2007 | Al-Sinaa (8), Al-Talaba (137) | |
Bold denotes players still playing in the Iraq Stars League.
Awards
Trophy
The current Iraq Stars League trophy was revealed on 13 July 2024 and was sculpted by the Iraqi painter and sculptor Ahmed Albahrani. The trophy is predominantly silver in colour, and features a silver and golden football at the top. The trophy has a silver base with the words "Iraq Stars League" written in English and Arabic, alongside the logo of the competition and the season.[30]
Records
League records
- Titles
- Most titles: 14, Al-Zawraa[31]
- Most consecutive title wins: 3 – joint record:[31]
- Al-Zawraa twice (1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01)
- Al-Rasheed (1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89)
- Erbil (2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09)
- Al-Shorta (2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24)
- Biggest title-winning margin: 21 points, 2021–22; Al-Shorta (91 points) over Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya (70 points)[32]
- Smallest title-winning margin: 0 points, 0 goal difference and 2 wins – 1980–81; Al-Talaba (8 wins) over Al-Shorta (6 wins)[33]
- Earliest title win with the most games remaining: 7 games, Al-Shorta (2021–22)[32]
- Wins
- Most consecutive wins: 11, Al-Shorta (13 March – 22 May 1998)[34]
- Most consecutive wins from the start of a season: 9 – joint record:[35]
- Most consecutive wins to the end of a season: 11, Al-Shorta (1997–98)[34]
- Defeated all league opponents at least once in a season: joint record:[36]
- Losses
- Fewest losses in a season: 0 – joint record:[29]
- 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:[37]
- Goals
- Most consecutive matches scored in: 37, Al-Shorta (13 October 1997 – 13 November 1998)[38]
- Most consecutive matches without conceding a goal: 14, Erbil (16 July 2009 – 20 March 2010)[39]
- Scored in every match during a season: joint record:[29]
Match records
See also: List of highest-scoring Iraq Stars League matches.
- Scorelines
- Highest scoring match: 11 goals – joint record:[40]
- Attendances
Player records
See also: List of Iraq Stars League hat-tricks.
- Appearances
- Titles
- Most titles: 7 – joint record:[43]
- Most titles as captain: 3 – joint record:[44]
- Goals
- Most goals: 181, Amjad Radhi[29]
- Most goals for one club: 149, Ali Hashim (for Al-Najaf)[29]
- Most top scorer awards: 4, Karim Saddam (1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93)[31]
- Most consecutive top scorer awards: 3 – joint record:[31]
- Most goals in a season: 36, Younis Abid Ali (1993–94, 50 rounds)[31]
- Most goals in a single game: 6 – joint record:[45]
- Fastest goal: 7 seconds, Alaa Abdul-Sattar (for Al-Zawraa v. Al-Kadhimiya, 25 January 2002)[46]
- Most hat-tricks: 10 – joint record:[29]
- Most hat-tricks in a season: 4, Qahtan Chathir (Al-Karkh, 1999–2000)[29]
Managerial records
See also: List of Iraq Stars League winning managers.
- TitlesThe following managers have won multiple titles:[47]
| 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 |
| 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 |
 Moamen Soliman | Al-Shorta | 2021–22, 2023–24 | |
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: البداية الحقيقية للدوري العراقي.. ابطال الدوري في 42 نسخة سابقة. Kooora. Mahmoud. Shukri. ar. 12 November 2021. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619223807/https://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=38511955. live.
- Web site: Football leagues set up in Iraq's main centres. The Iraq Times. 16 October 1948. 2 September 2020. 27 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200727191249/https://gpa.eastview.com/crl/mena/?a=d&d=iraq19481016-01.1.8. live.
- Web site: Mosul forms new football group. The Iraq Times. 11 December 1950. 2 September 2020. 2 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230502145306/https://gpa.eastview.com/crl/mena/?a=d&d=iraq19501211-01.1.4. live.
- Web site: من أرشيف الدوري العراقي ... نتائج دوري القطر للموسم 1973 / 1974 والجوية يفوز ببطولته. Kooora. Anwiyah. Emmanuel. ar. 18 November 2018. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619223809/https://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=37491182. live.
- Book: Al-Sabti. Ali. Iraqi League History 1956-1974. 2018. Iraq.
- Web site: ..... ارشيفي - 1 - ((برنامج تعرف على بطل الدوري - الطيران للموسم 1974 / 1975)). Kooora. Anwiyah. Emmanuel. ar. 20 June 2015. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619223816/https://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=35539542. live.
- Web site: قصة فوز (الطيران) باول بطولة للدوري العراقي 74-1975. Kooora. ar. 9 May 2009. 2 September 2020. 14 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221014091954/https://forum.kooora.com/?t=19104594. live.
- Book: Al-Munshi. Dr.Dhia. Iraqi Football Encyclopedia: Chico.. Jamoli… and football in Iraq. 2005. Citadel Printing & Design, Al-Saadoun, Baghdad.
- Web site: Dirjal reveals undisclosed details about the Iraqi Pro League. Winwin. 9 July 2023. ar. 28 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231028144951/https://www.winwin.com/%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%B4%D9%81-%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A. live.
- Web site: Iraq signs 2 contracts with Spanish La Liga to develop Iraqi football. Xinhua. 9 July 2023. 13 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240213033135/https://english.news.cn/20230605/22f03b1b91d24ec799e42f0ba2a48aaf/c.html. live.
- Web site: Dirjal: Iraq's qualification for the 2026 World Cup begins with the establishment of a professional league. Sports Asharq. 8 July 2023 . 9 July 2023. ar. 13 February 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240213032922/https://sports.asharq.com/football/21979/%25D8%25AF%25D8%25B1%25D8%25AC%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584-%25D8%25AA%25D8%25A3%25D9%2587%25D9%2584-%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25B9%25D8%25B1%25D8%25A7%25D9%2582-%25D9%2584%25D9%2585%25D9%2588%25D9%2586%25D8%25AF%25D9%258A%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584-2026-%25D9%258A%25D8%25A8%25D8%25AF%25D8%25A3-%25D8%25A8%25D8%25A5%25D9%2582%25D8%25A7%25D9%2585%25D8%25A9-%25D8%25AF%25D9%2588%25D8%25B1%25D9%258A-%25D9%2585%25D8%25AD%25D8%25AA%25D8%25B1%25D9%2581%25D9%258A%25D9%2586/. live.
- Web site: Greatest Asian Club Derbies: Iraq. Asian Football Confederation. 21 February 2021. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619223807/https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/news/greatest_asian_club_derbies_iraq.html. live.
- Web site: The rise and fall of Iraq's elite football teams. Ahdaaf.me. Mubarak. Hassanin. 21 July 2015. 19 June 2023. 7 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180207020729/https://ahdaaf.me/2015/07/21/people-must-know-their-history-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-iraqi-elites-football-teams/. bot: unknown.
- Web site: Arbil favourites to retain crown. FIFA.com. 18 October 2012. 19 June 2023. 3 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203000036/http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/nationalleagues/nationalleague=iraq-iraqi-league-2000000099/news/newsid/178/766/1/index.html. bot: unknown.
- Web site: Iraqi League 2008/2009. Goalzz. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619223806/https://www.goalzz.com/main.aspx?c=4070. live.
- Web site: نظام المسابقات في الدوري العراقي موسم ۲۰۲٠ - ۲۰۲١. Iraq Football Association. 10 July 2022. 8 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220708162051/https://ifa.iq/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A-2020-1.pdf. live.
- Web site: تعليمات اتحاد الكرة للأندية المشاركة في الدوري الممتاز والدرجة الاولى. Al-Rabiaa Sports. 23 August 2022. 23 August 2022. 23 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220823170205/https://www.facebook.com/Alrabiaa.Sports/posts/pfbid02cSfQvVQgo8vFYkwUwZMNaCgbBnAC7ZS857qWxgEwBXk8nZuuiAnoWtH2gXX1vFQSl. live.
- Web site: Al Shorta lift Iraq Super Cup. Asian Football Confederation. 3 October 2022. 19 June 2023. 12 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230812183328/https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domestic_leagues/news/al_shorta_win_iraq_super_cup_2.html. live.
- Web site: Entry Manual: AFC Club Competitions 2017–2020. Asian Football Confederation. https://web.archive.org/web/20171206135816/http://res.cloudinary.com/deltatreafcprod/image/upload/gvwuaoq7r4jwg7bobcdp.pdf. 6 December 2017. dead.
- Web site: Roll of honour. Asian Football Confederation. 21 February 2011. 19 June 2023. 23 May 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200523212913/https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/roll-of-honour-19462. live.
- Web site: Asian Cup Winner's Cup. Asian Football Confederation. 28 April 1999. 19 June 2023. 28 April 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/19990428134943/http://www.asian-football.com/competitions/winners/winners_frame.html. bot: unknown.
- Web site: نعم .. الزوراء كان قريبا من الكأس الاسيوية ولكن ..!. Iraq Sport. Al-Abed. Safaa. ar. 23 April 2000. 8 September 2023. 10 May 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000510204303/http://www.iraqsport.net/articles/html/230400-1.html. bot: unknown.
- Web site: Air Force Club create history. Asian Football Confederation. 27 October 2018. 19 June 2023. 7 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190907144843/http://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/air-force-club-create-history. live.
- Web site: البطولة الاولى للاندية العربية بكرة القدم. Mondial AR. Al-Khafadji. Yass. Arabic. 20 July 2017. 19 June 2023. 19 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230219105722/https://mondialar.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B7%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7/. dead.
- Web site: بطولات الأندية العربية أبطال الدوري. Union of Arab Football Associations. ar. 11 July 2017. 19 June 2023. 11 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170711230925/http://www.uafaonline.com/index.php?page_id=77. dead.
- Web site: اطلاق تسمية دوري زين على الدوري العراقي لكرة القدم. Kooora. 22 February 2010. 19 June 2023. 12 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220512230921/https://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=22083362. live.
- Web site: جدول ترتيب فرق اندية دوري اسياسيل (النخبة) 2010-2011 – الدور الثالث و العشرون. Iraq Football Association. ar. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619223816/https://ifa.iq/%D8%AC%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A8-%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AE-1352/. live.
- Web site: تغيير اسم الدوري العراقي لكرة القدم إلى "دوري فوكس". Shafaqna. 12 April 2015. ar. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619223808/https://iraq.shafaqna.com/AR/6941/%D8%AA%D8%BA%D9%8A%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%A5%D9%84/. live.
- Book: Al-Sabti. Ali. Iraqi League History 1974-2011. 2014. Iraq.
- Web site: فيديو/ المؤتمر الصحفي للنحات العالمي احمد البحراني …. Iraq Stars League. 13 July 2024. ar.
- Book: Iraq Football Association. كراس الدوري العراقي - موسم ٢٠٢٠ - ٢٠٢١. 23 October 2020. Iraq. ar.
- Web site: موسم الإنجاز وأرقام قياسية ... تفاصيل مباريات الشرطة في موسم 2021-2022. Al-Shorta SC. ar. 9 July 2022. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619232452/https://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=38725431. live.
- Web site: نهايات مثيرة للدوري العراقي. Al-Adhari. Mundher. ar. Kooora. 8 September 2013. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619232451/https://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=33236946. live.
- Web site: Al-Shorta hold the two longest winning streaks in #IPFL history. Al-Shorta SC. 14 February 2022. 19 June 2023. 14 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220214181708/https://twitter.com/AlShortaSC_EN/status/1493286919828123648. live.
- Web site: موسوعة ارشيف الزوراء (الجزء الحادي والخمسين). Kooora. ar. 3 October 2018. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619232450/https://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=37447012. live.
- Web site: تعرف على الأندية التي فاز على جميع الفرق الأخرى في الدوري العراقي. Kooora. ar. 29 April 2022. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619232449/https://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=38660019. live.
- Web site: بمناسبة مرور عام على تتويج الشرطة بلقب الدوري ... تفاصيل مبارياته في ذلك الموسم. Al-Shorta SC. 19 July 2020. ar. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619232451/https://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=38062580. live.
- Web site: نادي الشرطة العراقي - الإحصائيات. Al-Shorta SC. ar. 30 June 2023. 25 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211125113623/https://www.alshortasc.com/records. dead.
- Web site: اربيل ورقم قياسي جديد 990 دقيقة بدون هدف بمرماهم ... وننتظر رقم جديد الفوز بالدوري اربع مرات م. Kooora. Anwiyah. Emmanuel. ar. 28 February 2010. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619232448/https://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=22184260. live.
- Web site: دوري الكرة في التاريخ. Kooora. ar. 31 October 2008. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619232449/https://forum.kooora.com/?t=12708218. live.
- Web site: بمناسبة ذكرى افتتاحه: ملعب الشعب..حقائق غائبة.. وثائق تاريخية.. أحداث وغرائب!!. ar. Kooora. 5 November 2014. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619232450/https://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=34883257. live.
- Web site: الشرطه 2 _1 الطلبه جرت في 26_3_2014 . ar . Waar Sport . 26 March 2014 .
- Web site: سلام هاشم .. المُنجِز القياسي. Almada Paper. 1 October 2014. ar. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619232450/https://almadapaper.net/view.php?cat=113924. live.
- Web site: Iraq - Championship Winning Captains. RSSSF. 26 July 2006. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619232449/https://www.rsssf.org/players/iraq-cap-champs.html. live.
- Web site: لاعبون سجلوا 6 اهداف في مباراة واحدة في الدوري الممتاز بكرة القدم. ar. Kooora. 17 November 2008. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619232449/https://forum.kooora.com/f.aspx?t=12971710. live.
- Web site: من أَرشيف الدوري العراقي : أسرع هدف في تاريخ الدوري العراقي زورائي وبأقدام علاء عبد الستار. Kooora. 15 November 2011. ar. 19 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619232450/https://forum.kooora.com/?t=29557020. live.
- Web site: المدربون الفائزون حملة لقب الدوري. NIIIIS.com. ar. 20 June 2023. 19 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230619232451/http://niiiis.com/leaguecoaches.html. live.
