Baghdad's Quartet Misses Top Spot After Opening Round

The first round of the Iraqi Premier League 2026-2027 unfolded differently than what football fans are accustomed to, as the leaderboard was completely devoid of the names of the four major clubs: Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Shorta, Al-Zawraa, and Al-Tabib. This scenario is a rare occurrence.

Meanwhile, four clubs topped the standings with a perfect score of 3 points each: Arbil, Al-Najaf, Diyala, and Zakho.

Notably, three of the top teams in the standings come from outside Baghdad. Erbil represents the Kurdistan region, Diyala represents the eastern province, and Zakho represents the far north, while Oil is the only representative from the capital at the top after their opening win.

This distribution has given the first round a different character, confirming that this season's competition will not be limited to the popular clubs of Baghdad as has been the norm.

On the other side, four teams occupy the last place with no points. Al-Student was the biggest shock as one of the top four, followed by North Gas, the new guest in the competition from Kirkuk, along with Al-Karkh and Al-Kahrabaa.

Three teams from the bottom of the table represent Baghdad, which has doubled the concerns of its fans who witnessed a shaky start for their teams in the first official test.

The remaining teams are distributed in the middle of the table from fifth to sixteenth place, including: Nawroz, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Duhok, Al-Gharaf, Al-Shorta, Karbala, Al-Karma, Mosul, Naft Maysan, Al-Jawlan, Al-Zawraa, and Al-Minaa.

All teams ended up with one point from the draw, or with no points but with a better goal difference than the bottom teams.

Al-Zawraa drew 0-0 with Al-Minaa, while Al-Shorta ended in a 1-1 stalemate against returning Karbala. Air Force also managed just a point. This means that the trio of top teams has started their campaign with a noticeable stumble.

Overall, the first round did not witness many shocking surprises. Most results were as anticipated, except for Diyala's 2-1 victory over Al Talaba at home, which some considered the surprise of the round.

The match between Police and Karbala at Al-Qafas Stadium ended in a draw, which was notable given that Karbala played for more than half an hour with ten men and managed to secure a point from the home of the Qithara.

The remaining matches unfolded as expected, but overall performance still lacks ambition. This is a natural occurrence in the early rounds.

Reactions from fans of popular teams have been mixed. A significant portion expressed fears that what was displayed in the opening round reflects their team's level this season, questioning their ability to compete in the title race.

On the other hand, some believe that it's too early to judge. "The league is still long, and the first round shouldn't be used as a measure," was the most repeated phrase on social media, with calls for patience and support for the players and coaching staff until the team regains its balance.

The start of the league has sent a clear message: no one can guarantee the top spot, and the teams that were in the shadows last season have entered the fray strongly. The absence of the traditional top four from the summit may be temporary, or it could mark the beginning of a shift in the balance of power.