In the 2024–2025 season, Kurdish football clubs achieved an impressive breakthrough in Iraq’s Stars League, emerging as some of the most formidable and inspirational teams in both Iraq and Asia.
Zakho Sports Club stood out in particular, showcasing outstanding performance and finishing the season in third place. This achievement secured Zakho a spot in the upcoming Asian Champions League — a significant milestone for the club, which hails from a district in Duhok province in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Another major highlight of the season was Duhok Sports Club’s victory in the Arab Gulf Champions Cup. Their historic win marked the first time in years that an Iraqi team brought the prestigious trophy back home. The triumph was a source of immense pride for both Kurds and Iraqis.
Sports fans across the Kurdistan Region were thrilled with their teams’ performance, especially given the financial disparity they faced. Unlike other teams in the league that received substantial support from the federal government, Kurdish clubs were largely excluded from such funding. The justification was that financial backing for these teams should come from the Kurdistan Regional Government. As a result, Kurdish teams struggled with significant financial and administrative difficulties throughout the season.
Despite these challenges, Kurdish supporters remained steadfast. They traveled across central and southern Iraq to cheer on their teams, often in large numbers, filling stadiums and showing unwavering loyalty.
Newroz Sports Club, representing Sulaymaniyah city, finished in ninth place. Despite ongoing crises off the pitch, the team maintained the trust of its fanbase and continued to draw strong crowds.
Erbil Sports Club, once considered one of the strongest Kurdish teams, had a disappointing season. Ongoing financial and managerial issues saw them fall to 12th place in the league, far below expectations from supporters and sports analysts.
Nevertheless, the overall performance of the four Kurdish teams — Zakho, Duhok, Newroz, and Erbil — was commendable. Duhok’s regional victory and Zakho’s qualification for the Asian Champions League were standout achievements that brought renewed hope and pride to football fans across the Kurdistan Region.
By Farman Omar Said