Capital derby heats up as Al Zawraa face Al-Shamal in the Stars League

Iraqi football fans and the supporters of the capital Baghdad are eagerly turning their attention to the pitch of the Al-Madina Stadium, which will host the grand derby of Iraq on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM Baghdad time. This match will see traditional rivals Al Zawraa and Al-Shorta face off in the eleventh round of the Iraq Stars League.

The technical reading of Al Zawraa's camp indicates that the club enters this major public confrontation under critical and difficult circumstances due to fluctuating results and consecutive failures, having tasted defeat twice in a row against Duhok, followed by a shocking loss by a single goal to Al-Shamal, all after a strong and ideal start to the season.

Observers have noted that the squad led by the experienced coach Basim Qassim is striving hard to turn the page on this painful chapter and reconcile with their supporters by achieving a valuable victory over Al Zawraa, relying on a host of prominent stars, including playmaker Mohammed Qassim, the standout player Qoqia, and the impressive Egyptian star Mohamed Sherif.

The overall standings indicate that Al Zawraa currently occupies third place with 18 points from 5 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, making the upcoming match a golden opportunity to remain in the title race.

While the data from Al-Shorta's camp indicates that the Green Lantern started its season somewhat sluggishly, the team has noticeably improved as the rounds progressed, delivering impressive performances and strong upward levels. Despite their recent setback and settling for a 1-1 draw against Al Karkh in the last round, they aspire to make amends and prove themselves in the clásico.

Al-Shorta have completed their technical arrangements after the sudden decision to part ways with Tunisian coach Sami Al-Trabelsi. A new coaching staff led by coach Hussein Abdul Wahid will take charge of the team, as he bets on the stability of the technical group to achieve the desired results.

Al-Shorta are currently in 6th place with 17 points, having collected them from 4 wins, 5 draws, and 1 loss, which came against Al-Karma.

The numbers and recent history of derby matches paint a very balanced picture between the rivals in their last 5 encounters, with Al Zawraa winning two matches and Al-Shamal also winning two, while one match ended in a draw. This reflects the intensity of the competition and makes predictions extremely difficult on the pitch.

This classic summit, with all its numbers, competition, and complex calculations, promises Iraqi fans a rich and enjoyable football feast. Will Al Zawraa's wounds succeed in unleashing their return against Mohammed Qassim and his men, or will the discipline and wisdom of Al-Shamal, led by Hussein Abdul Wahid, impose their superiority in the capital derby? The answer awaits the referee's whistle tomorrow evening at Al-Madina Stadium.