Iraqi Premier League
The Iraqi Premier League, or Iraqi Premier Division, is the top tier of Iraqi football, featuring 20 elite clubs vying for supremacy, continental spots, and survival. It captures the raw energy of Baghdad street football blended with professional stadium atmospheres, mirroring Iraq's diverse regions from Kurdish north to southern heartlands.
History and foundation
Established in 1974 as the Iraqi Elite League, its roots trace to 1940s tournaments under the Iraq Football Association. Wars and sanctions disrupted it in the 1980s-90s, but it rebounded post-2003. Notably, Al-Zawraa won the first post-hiatus title in 2000, and Amanat Baghdad triumphed amid 2014 instability. Iraq's 1986 World Cup qualification highlighted its golden era.
Tournament format
Running September to July, the season splits into a 38-match round-robin (20 teams), followed by playoffs for title contenders and relegation battles. Promoted from the First Division, the champion earns AFC Champions League entry. Matches span 12-15 venues holding 10,000-65,000 fans.
Interesting facts
Average goals per game hover at 2.4, spiking to 4 in Baghdad derbies. All-time top scorer Ahmed Rahman netted 189 for Al-Sinaa; modern star Ahmed Yusuf exceeds 100 for Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. Icons include Younis Mahmoud, Asia's 2007 top scorer and 2007 Asian Cup hero; Rashid Jaber of the 1980s; and exports like Ayman Hussein and Amjad Kalaf to Europe. Known for skillful midfielders and robust defenders.