The Iraqi football league system, also known as the football pyramid, is a series of interconnected leagues for men's association football clubs in Iraq. The system has a hierarchical format with promotion and relegation across leagues at different levels, allowing even the smallest club the theoretical possibility of ultimately rising to the very top of the system. There are 5 individual levels; the top flight is governed by the Iraqi Pro League Association, while the other divisions are run by the Iraq Football Association (IFA).
Up until 1973, leagues in Iraq were played at a regional level. The Central FA League, the Basra League and the Kirkuk League were all founded in 1948,[1] while the Mosul League was founded in 1950.[2] The first nationwide league to be held in the country was in the 1973–74 season when the National First Division was formed, with Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya being crowned champions.[3] The IFA then decided to replace the competition with a new National Clubs League (later known as Iraqi Premier League) which would only be open to clubs and not institute-representative teams.[4]
In the 2023–24 season, the Iraqi Premier League was transformed into a professional league under the name Iraq Stars League.[5][6]
About the system
The system consists of a pyramid of leagues, bound together by the principle of promotion and relegation. A certain number of the most successful clubs in each league can rise to a higher league, whilst those that finish the season at the bottom of their league can find themselves sinking down a level. In addition to sporting performance, promotion is usually contingent on meeting criteria set by the higher league, especially concerning appropriate facilities and finances.[7]
In theory, it is possible for a lowly local amateur club to achieve annual promotions and within a few years rise to the pinnacle of the Iraqi game and become champions of the Stars League (previously known as the Premier League). While this may be unlikely in practice (at the very least, in the short run), there certainly is significant movement within the pyramid.[8]
Structure
At the top is the single division of the Stars League (level 1, which is often referred to as the "top-flight") which contains 20 clubs, then the Premier Division League (level 2) which consists of 20 clubs, the First Division League (level 3) which consists of 20 clubs, the Second Division League (level 4) which consists of 20 clubs, and the Third Division League (level 5) which is separated into regional groups.
Promotion and relegation rules for All the levels
Stars League (level 1, 20 teams): 2 teams are relegated directly, and 1 team enters a relegation play-off.
Premier Division League (level 2, 20 teams): 2 teams are promoted directly, and 1 team enters a promotion play-off. 2 teams are relegated.
First Division League (level 3, 20 teams): 2 teams are promoted. 2 teams are relegated.
Second Division League (level 4, 20 teams): 2 teams are promoted. 2 teams are relegated.
Level one in the pyramid, the top division of Iraq football, is the Stars League, the winners of which are regarded as the champions of Iraq and the contenders have access to the Asian premier football competition, the AFC Champions League Elite.
