Iraqi Championship
The Iraqi Championship, officially the Iraq Stars League, is the top tier of Iraqi football. Established in 1974, it features powerhouse clubs like Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Shorta, and Al-Zawraa. Amidst political turmoil, the league embodies Iraqi passion for the game, nurturing talents for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions. Seasons deliver fierce battles for the title, domestic cups, and continental spots.
History and foundation
Roots trace to 1948 informal tournaments, formalized in 1974 by the Iraq Football Association. Military-backed teams like Al-Quwa dominated the 1980s-90s with 13 titles. Wars and sanctions halted play from 1990-2003. Post-2003 invasion, FIFA reforms revived it. Notable: Najeeb Assad's 36-goal season in 2017. The league endured tragedies like the 2009 stadium bombing, yet fans persist.
Tournament format
20 teams compete in a double round-robin (38 matches each), followed by playoffs. Top finishers vie for the championship; bottom ones fight relegation. Winners advance to AFC Champions League, runners-up to AFC Cup. Played October to August to avoid summer heat, with breaks for Ramadan and internationals.
Interesting facts
High-scoring: average 2.8 goals per game. All-time top scorer Najeeb Assad (over 200 goals). Stars include Younis Mahmoud (39-goal season), Ahmed Yasin. Emerging: Humam Tariq (Al-Quwa), Ammar Al-Amiri. Produced legends like Younis Mahmoud (108 int'l goals) and Rashid Jassim. Recent thrillers: Al-Zawraa's 7-3 in 2022.