A humanitarian gesture and a culture of unity earn Zakho’s supporters global recognition
The supporters of Zakho Sports Club have achieved a historic milestone, winning the 2025 FIFA Best Fans Award and earning global recognition for a fan culture that transcends football. The honor celebrates not only their unwavering loyalty to the club, but also their extraordinary humanitarian initiatives—efforts that have positioned Zakho SC’s supporters among the most impactful fanbases in world football.
At the heart of the award is a deeply moving gesture carried out in May 2025, ahead of an Iraqi Stars League match against Al-Hudood SC. As kick-off approached, thousands of Zakho supporters simultaneously threw stuffed children’s toys onto the pitch. The toys were swiftly collected and later donated to children suffering from serious illnesses, particularly cancer. The scene captured international attention and quickly became a powerful symbol of football’s ability to unite communities and inspire compassion.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the supporters in a message posted on Instagram, describing the moment as “heartwarming and inspiring.” He noted that the gesture demonstrated how football can serve as a platform for humanity and solidarity, officially confirming Zakho SC supporters as winners of the Best FIFA Fans Award 2025.
The impact of Zakho’s fanbase is perhaps best articulated by Ahmed Ibrahim, the club captain and one of Iraq’s most respected footballers. With 118 international appearances and a career spanning leagues in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, Ibrahim speaks from rare experience. Yet, he insists that nothing compares to what he has witnessed in Zakho.
“I’ve played everywhere and spent 12 years with the national team,” Ibrahim said. “But this is the first time in my life I’ve seen fans like these. Whether we play at home or away, against big teams or small ones, the stadium is always full. They follow us to Erbil, Baghdad, Basra—everywhere. There is truly nowhere like Zakho.”
Beyond their presence in the stands, Zakho supporters are widely known for sustained charitable work. According to Ibrahim, the toy-throwing initiative was only one part of a much broader humanitarian culture embedded within the fan community. Supporter groups regularly organize visits to schools, collect donations for the homeless, provide food and medicine to families in need, and support children requiring medical treatment.
“Zakho is a small city,” Ibrahim explained, “but the hearts of its people are very big. They respect the players, the opponents, and the game itself. They are crazy about football—but also about helping people.”
Located near the Turkish border, the city of Zakho has a population of roughly 250,000, yet football is deeply woven into its social fabric. This unity was reflected both on and off the pitch during the 2024–25 season, when Zakho SC finished third in the Iraqi league and reached the Iraq Cup final. However, it was the supporters’ actions beyond the game that ultimately elevated the club’s name onto the world stage.
Following FIFA’s announcement, celebrations erupted across Zakho. Streets filled with chanting fans, children waving club colors, and families expressing pride in an achievement that resonated far beyond football. The scenes reflected a profound bond between the club and its supporters—one rooted in shared identity and collective values.
Leaders across the Kurdistan Region and Iraq praised the achievement. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani described the award as a source of pride for the entire region, emphasizing that it represented more than a single club. KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani called it “a great win for sports and sports fans across Kurdistan and Iraq,” while Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani highlighted the unity and solidarity behind the victory, expressing hope that such togetherness would inspire other areas of public life.
Zakho SC President Ammar Farhad described the moment as indescribable, crediting the global Kurdish community for mobilizing votes during the online voting period, which ran from mid-November to December 3. Zakho SC had been shortlisted among the world’s top three fanbases, competing with internationally renowned supporters from Spain and Argentina.
Founded in 1987, Zakho SC’s journey to global recognition reflects the extraordinary power of community-driven football culture. The 2025 FIFA Best Fans Award stands as a testament to how supporters—through empathy, unity, and action—can redefine what it means to be fans, not only of a club, but of humanity itself.