The 2022–23 Iraq Division One is the 49th season of the Iraq Division One, the second tier of the
Iraqi football league system
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 between leagues at differ ...
since its establishment in 1974. The number of clubs in the league have varied throughout history for various reasons. The top two teams are promoted to the
Iraqi Premier League
The Iraqi Premier League ( ar, الدوري العراقي الممتاز) is the top level of the Iraqi football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it is operated by the Iraq Football Association (IFA) and operates on a system of promotion ...
, while the bottom 3 teams in each group are directly relegated to the
Iraq Division Two
The Iraq Division Two is a football league that is the third tier of the Iraqi football league system. The league consists of 126 teams and was founded in 1974.
League format
The Division Two consists of 126 teams divided into 2 groups. The to ...
.
Overview
Changes
In November 2020, The Iraq FA announced that the number of teams will decrease from 28 to 24 in total starting from 2021-2022 season. To make these changes possible, the Iraq FA announced that in 2022–23 season, a two teams are promoted to the Premier League, where the winner and runner-up of each group will play a play-off match, so that the winners will be promoted directly to the Premier League, while 6 teams in total are directly relegated to Division Two.
Developments
On December 27, 2022, the
Iraq Football Association
The Iraq Football Association (IFA) ( ar, الاتحاد العراقي لكرة القدم) is the governing body of football in Iraq, controlling the Iraqi national team and the Iraqi Premier League. The Iraqi Football Association was founded ...
decided to stop the championship matches, starting from the ninth round, due to the holding of the
Arabian Gulf Cup
The Arabian Gulf Cup ( ar, كأس الخليج العربي, ''Kass Al-Khaleej Al-Arabi''), often referred to simply as the Gulf Cup, is a biennial football competition governed by the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation for its eight member nat ...
in Iraq, and decided that the championship would resume after the end of the Arabian Gulf Cup.
Teams
A total of 24 teams are contesting the league, including 17 sides from the
2021–22 season and the 3 relegated sides from the
Iraqi Premier League
The Iraqi Premier League ( ar, الدوري العراقي الممتاز) is the top level of the Iraqi football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it is operated by the Iraq Football Association (IFA) and operates on a system of promotion ...
and the 4 promoted sides from the
Iraq Division Two
The Iraq Division Two is a football league that is the third tier of the Iraqi football league system. The league consists of 126 teams and was founded in 1974.
League format
The Division Two consists of 126 teams divided into 2 groups. The to ...
, because of the recent changes necessary to adjustment to having 24 teams possible this season. The teams were divided into two groups, and the draw was held on October 27, 2022, and it was decided that the championship will start on November 18, 2022.
2022–23 season
Managerial changes
League table
Group 1
Results
Group 2
Results
Play-offs
The two winning teams are promoted directly to the
Iraqi Premier League
The Iraqi Premier League ( ar, الدوري العراقي الممتاز) is the top level of the Iraqi football league system. Contested by 20 clubs, it is operated by the Iraq Football Association (IFA) and operates on a system of promotion ...