Iraqi Third Division League


The Iraqi Third Division League is a football league that is the fifth tier of the Iraqi football league system. The league was established in 2024.
In the 2024–25 season, Al-Sinaat Al-Harbiya won the championship title after defeating New Sirwan 2–1 in the final match.

League format

Each team can register up to 25 players in their squad list, and each club is required to have a formal establishment licence issued by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

First stage

Teams are split into 18 regional tournaments in accordance with the 18 governorates of Iraq. Each tournament is organised by the Iraq Football Association's sub-branch in that governorate. A total of 42 teams qualify for the second stage.

Second stage

The 42 qualified teams are divided into five regions: Southern Region, Middle Euphrates Region, Western Region, Northern Region and Baghdad Region. The second stage matches are organised by the IFA Competitions Committee. Three teams from each region qualify for the third stage.

Third stage

The 15 qualified teams are divided into three groups of five teams each. Each team plays the other teams in their group home and away in a double round-robin format. The three group winners and the best second-placed team qualify for the golden stage.

Golden stage

The four qualified teams enter the golden stage, where they are drawn into two home-and-away semi-final ties. The two winners of the semi-finals are promoted to the Iraqi Second Division League and qualify for the final which is a single match at a neutral venue determine the league champion. The two losers of the semi-finals compete in a third place play-off, with the winner also being promoted to the Iraqi Second Division League.