Inside the Iraqi Stars League: the rise of Kurdish clubs

The Iraqi Stars League has rarely been more competitive, and clubs from the Kurdistan Region are increasingly at the heart of the story.

Investment in academies, infrastructure and recruitment has lifted clubs like Zakho, Erbil, Duhok and Newroz into genuine contenders, attracting both fans and scouts.

Our analytics team breaks down the data behind the surge — and explains why the region has become one of the most fertile sources of talent in the country.