 | ||||
| Full name | Al-Zawraa Sports Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicknames | Al-Nawaris (The Gulls) Al-Zaeem (The Boss) | |||
| Founded | 29 June 1969; 56 years ago (1969-06-29) asAl-Muwasalat | |||
| Ground | Al-Zawraa Stadium[1] | |||
| Capacity | 15,443 | |||
| President | Haider Shanshool | |||
| Manager | Emad El Nahhas | |||
| League | Iraq Stars League | |||
| 2024–25 | Iraq Stars League, 2nd of 20 | |||
| Website | alzawraaclub | |||
 Current season | ||||
Al-Zawraa Sports Club (Arabic:نادي الزوراء الرياضي) is an Iraqi professionalsports club based in Utayfia,Karkh District (nearTigris River),Baghdad. Their football team competes in theIraq Stars League, the top-flight ofIraqi football. Al-Zawraa have won the most major honours of any club inIraq, having won 14 league titles, 16Iraq FA Cups and 5Iraqi Super Cups—all record totals.
Al-Zawraa also won theBaghdad Championship a joint-record three times. Al-Zawraa have won the domesticdouble a record eight times and became only the second Iraqi team to win the domesticquadruple in the 1999–2000 season. In 2022, Al-Zawraa opened the new all-seaterAl-Zawraa Stadium which replaced the club's old ground at the same site.
Al-Zawraa finished fourth at the1996–97 Asian Club Championship and were runners-up of the1999–2000 Asian Cup Winners' Cup. Al-Zawraa have competed in theAFC Champions League Elite group stage three times and have reached the knockout rounds of theAFC Champions League Two three times. The team's home colour is white, thus they are nicknamed "Al-Nawaris" (lit. 'The Gulls').
Al-Zawraa was founded on 29 June 1969 asAl-Muwasalat, which means 'Transportation'. Al-Muwasalat participated in the Iraq Central FA Fourth Division in the 1969–70 season. In the 1970–71 season, they won the fourth division and were promoted to the third division. The 1971–72 season saw the establishment of 'Al-Muwasalat B' (the club's B team), with the merger of Al-Bareed B and Al-Matar Al-Madani, which joined the fourth division. In their first season, Al-Muwasalat B won the fourth division under coach Rasheed Radhi and were promoted to the third division, beatingAl-Shabab 2–1 on 1 June 1972 at Al-Kashafa Stadium.[citation needed]
On 16 November 1972, the club was renamed to Al-Zawraa. The 1972–73 season saw both Al-Zawraa and Al-Zawraa B competing in the third division, and in the 1973–74 season, Al-Zawraa B won the third division title after a 2–1 win over Indhibat Al-Shorta, securing promotion to the second division. As they were the club's B team, the A and B teams merged back together, and the club was also merged with another club called Saleem Sports Club, to compete in the newly foundedIraqi National Second Division in the1974–75 season. Al-Zawraa won the second division title that season under Rasheed Radhi's leadership, being promoted into theIraqi National League for the first time in their history for the1975–76 season.[citation needed]
A club namedAl-Naqil (meaning 'Transport'), who were attached to the Ministry of Transport, were the runners-up of the1974–75 Iraqi National League, but the club was dissolved due to a lack of financial backing. Al-Naqil's players joined newly promoted side Al-Zawraa, who were founded by the Minister of Transport, Adnan Ayoub Sabri Al-Ezzi. This meant that Al-Zawraa became one of the strongest clubs in Iraq from their first season in the top-flight, which was the 1975–76 season, where they won both theleague title and theIraq FA Cup. In the1976–77 season, Al-Zawraa retained their title, winning the league undefeated, and the1978–79 season saw Al-Zawraa win the league undefeated again, also winning theIraq FA Cup to secure their second double.[citation needed]
The 1980s is the only decade in which Al-Zawraa failed to win a league title. However, they did win three Iraq FA Cup titles that decade, with victories in the1980–81,1981–82 and1988–89 seasons. Al-Zawraa also won the first ever Arab Cooperation Council Club Championship in 1989,[2] and retained their title in 1990.[3]
They began the 1990s by winning theIraq FA Cup again and qualifying to the1990 Arab Club Champions Cup, which was eventually abandoned. The 1990s would go on to become the most successful in Al-Zawraa's history, as they were crowned champions of Iraq for the fourth time in1990–91 and also won anotherIraq FA Cup to secure another double. Al-Zawraa won the first ever edition of theUmm al-Ma'arik Championship (later known as the Baghdad Championship) in the1991–92 season and they succeeded in winning another Iraq FA Cup in the1992–93 season.[citation needed]
The next three seasons were three of the best in Al-Zawraa's history; they won three consecutive doubles in1993–94,1994–95 and1995–96. They also participated in their first ever AFC tournaments, being knocked out in the first round of the1993–94 Asian Cup Winners' Cup and the second round of the1995 Asian Club Championship. Al-Zawraa recorded their best participation in theAsian Club Championship in1996–97 as they reached the semi-finals, eventually finishing fourth. Al-Zawraa won the1997–98 Iraq FA Cup which saw managerAnwar Jassam win his record fifth FA Cup, and followed that up by winning their firstIraqi Super Cup with a 1–0 win over league champions Al-Shorta. In the1997–98 Asian Club Championship, Al-Zawraa reached the second round before being knocked out.[citation needed]
Al-Zawraa continued to dominate Iraqi football by winning the double in1998–99 and securing their first domestic quadruple in1999–2000 by winning all four domestic trophies. They also reached the final of the1999–2000 Asian Cup Winners' Cup, the furthest that they have ever reached in a major continental competition, but lost 1–0 toShimizu S-Pulse of Japan.[citation needed]
As champions, Al-Zawraa qualified for the2000–01 Asian Club Championship but were knocked out in the first round. Al-Zawraa won their third consecutive league title in2000–01 and also won theIraqi Super Cup, while they reached the second round of the2001–02 Asian Club Championship and lost toAl-Sadd in2002–03 AFC Champions League qualification.[citation needed]
Al-Zawraa won the Baghdad Championship in the2003–04 season, becoming joint-record winners of the competition. In the2003–04 Arab Champions League, Al-Zawraa were knocked out at the round of 16, while they were knocked out at the group stage of the2005 AFC Champions League. In the2005–06 season, Al-Zawraa secured their 11th league title by defeatingAl-Najaf via a penalty shootout after a goalless draw, while in the2005–06 Arab Champions League, they were defeated over two legs byMC Algiers in the round of 16. Al-Zawraa also participated in the2007 AFC Champions League (knocked out in the group stage) and the2009 AFC Cup (knocked out in the round of 16 byErbil).[citation needed]
In2010–11, they returned to the top of Iraqi football by winning their 12th league title after a penalty shootout win overErbil. This qualified them to the2012 AFC Cup but they were knocked out in the round of 16. Al-Zawraa won the2015–16 league title without losing a game in what was their 13th league title. They then won the2016–17 Iraq FA Cup and2017 Iraqi Super Cup titles, coupling the latter with the2017–18 Iraqi Premier League title which saw them extend their national record to 14 league triumphs. After knockout stage and group stage exits in theAFC Cup in2017 and2018 respectively, Al-Zawraa returned to theAFC Champions League in2019,[4] collecting eight points but failing to advance to the next round. The team had two impressive games againstAl-Wasl, beating them 5–0 inKarbala and 5–1 atZabeel Stadium.[citation needed]
Al-Zawraa won the2018–19 Iraq FA Cup, thus qualifying to the qualifying rounds of the AFC Champions League in2020 and2021 where they were eliminated both times. Al-Zawraa won their fifth Iraqi Super Cup title in2021.[citation needed]. In the 2020–21 Iraqi Premier League they finished as runners‑up behind Al‑Quwa Al‑Jawiya. The following season saw a drop in form as they finished sixth in 2021–22, before improving to third place in both 2022–23 and 2023–24. In the 2020–21 Iraq FA Cup they reached the final but lost on penalties to Al‑Quwa Al‑Jawiya after a goalless draw.
On the continental stage, they entered the2022 AFC Champions League play‑off round but were eliminated by Sharjah on penalties, therefore failing to reach the group stage. In 2023 they competed in theAFC Cup, but narrowly missed out on the knockout stage as they were not among the best second‑placed teams in the West Zone.[citation needed] In 2024–25 they again finished second in the league, securing qualification for the2025–26 AFC Champions League Two group stage.
Al-Zawraa currently play atAl-Zawraa Stadium, which has a capacity of 15,443. Al-Zawraa play their derby matches againstAl-Quwa Al-Jawiya,Al-Shorta andAl-Talaba atAl-Shaab Stadium in order to accommodate more spectators.[citation needed]
Ultras The Kings is the name of the ultras group of Al-Zawraa fans.[citation needed]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
For a list of all Al-Zawraa players, seeList of Al-Zawraa players
Al-Zawraa's main rivals areAl-Quwa Al-Jawiya, with whom they contest the Iraqi Classico. They are also rivals withAl-Shorta andAl-Talaba.
The table below shows Al-Zawraa managers of the last 10 years that have won noteworthy titles. For a more detailed and chronological list of Al-Zawraa managers from 1969 onwards with their trophies, seeList of Al-Zawraa managers.
| Name | Period | Trophies |
|---|---|---|
 Basim Qasim | 2015–16 | Iraqi Premier League:2015–16 Winners |
| Essam Hamad | 2016–17 | Iraq FA Cup:2016–17 Winners |
| Ayoub Odisho | 2017–19 | Iraqi Super Cup:2017 Winners Iraqi Premier League:2017–18 Winners |
| Hakim Shaker | 2019 | Iraq FA Cup:2018–19 Winners |
| Essam Hamad | 2021 | Iraqi Super Cup:2021 Winners |
| Position | Name | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| Manager: | Emad El Nahhas |  |
| Assistant manager: | Hussam Fawzi | |
| Assistant manager: | Mohammed Mohsen (Abu Greisha) | |
| Goalkeeping coach: | Mohamed Fathy | |
| Fitness coach: | Mazen Abdel Sattar | |
| Technical analyst: | Mohamed Helal | |
Updated to match played 18 October 2025
Source: [5]
| Competition | Titles | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Iraq Central FA Third Division | 1 | 1973–74 |
| Iraq Central FA Fourth Division | 1 | 1970–71 |
| Competition | Titles | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Tournament for the Iraqi Armed Forces | 1 | 2015 |
| Tishreen Tournament | 1 | 2004 |
| Al-Zawraa Championship | 1 | 2004 |
| Al-Quds International Championship | 1 | 2000[6] |
| Al-Shaab Friendship Tournament | 1 | 1999[7] |
| Arab Cooperation Council Club Championship | 2 | 1989,[2] 1990[3] |
| Victory Championship | 2 | 1984, 1986 |
| Year | League | Iraq Cup | Super Cup | Baghdad Ch'ship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974–75 | Promoted (Div. 1) | not held | Started in 1986 | Started in 1991 |
| 1975–76 | Winner | Winner | ||
| 1976–77 | Winner | not held | ||
| 1977–78 | Runner-up | Quarter-final | ||
| 1978–79 | Winner | Winner | ||
| 1979–80 | Runner-up | Semi-final | ||
| 1980–81 | Seventh place | Winner | ||
| 1981–82 | Fifth place | Winner | ||
| 1982–83 | Seventh place | Quarter-final | ||
| 1983–84 | Fifth place | Quarter-final | ||
| 1984–85 | not finished | Second round | ||
| 1985–86 | Ninth place | not held | did not qualify | |
| 1986–87 | Seventh place | Quarter-final | not held | |
| 1987–88 | Fifth place | Runner-up | not held | |
| 1988–89 | Fourth place | Winner | not held | |
| 1989–90 | Fourth place | Winner | not held | |
| 1990–91 | Winner | Winner | not held | |
| 1991–92 | Runner-up | Round of 32 | not held | Winner |
| 1992–93 | Runner-up | Winner | not held | Third place |
| 1993–94 | Winner | Winner | not held | Third place |
| 1994–95 | Winner | Winner | not held | Third place |
| 1995–96 | Winner | Winner | not held | Third place |
| 1996–97 | Runner-up | Semi-final | Runner-up | Runner-up |
| 1997–98 | Third place | Winner | Winner | Third place |
| 1998–99 | Winner | Winner | not held | Group stage |
| 1999–2000 | Winner | Winner | Winner | Winner |
| 2000–01 | Winner | not held | Winner | Runner-up |
| 2001–02 | Fourth place | Quarter-final | Runner-up | Group stage |
| 2002–03 | not finished | Round of 32 | did not qualify | Third place |
| 2003–04 | not finished | not held | not held | Winner |
| 2004–05 | Fourth place | not held | not held | Abolished in 2004 |
| 2005–06 | Winner | not held | not held | |
| 2006–07 | Eighth place | not held | not held | |
| 2007–08 | Runner-up | not held | not held | |
| 2008–09 | Seventh place | not held | not held | |
| 2009–10 | Third place | not held | not held | |
| 2010–11 | Winner | not held | not held | |
| 2011–12 | Eighth place | not held | not held | |
| 2012–13 | Fourth place | Round of 32 | not held | |
| 2013–14 | Sixth place | not held | not held | |
| 2014–15 | Eighth place | not held | not held | |
| 2015–16 | Winner | Runner-up | not held | |
| 2016–17 | Fourth place | Winner | not held | |
| 2017–18 | Winner | not held | Winner | |
| 2018–19 | Third place | Winner | not held | |
| 2019–20 | not finished | not finished | Runner-up | |
| 2020–21 | Runner-up | Runner-up | not held | |
| 2021–22 | Sixth place | Semi-final | Winner | |
| 2022–23 | Third place | Quarter-final | did not qualify | |
| 2023–24 | Third place | Semi-final | not held | |
| 2024–25 | Runner-up | Round of 16 | not held |
| Competition | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | |
| AFC Champions League Elite | 44 | 19 | 10 | 15 | 043.18 |
| AFC Champions League Two | 35 | 16 | 10 | 9 | 045.71 |
| Asian Cup Winners' Cup | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 062.50 |
| Arab Club Champions Cup | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 031.25 |
| Total | 103 | 45 | 23 | 35 | 043.69 |
2009 –Mohammed Gassid
