2002–03 Iraqi First Division


The 2002–03 Iraqi First Division was the 29th season of the competition since its establishment in 1974. The name of the league was changed from Iraqi Elite League to Iraqi First Division, and the season began on 6 September 2002.
The Iraq War broke out on 20 March 2003, but matches continued to be played up to and including round 29 until the Iraq Football Association brought the competition to an end due to the war. At that point, Al-Shorta were leading the league with 68 points, while Al-Talaba were second, Al-Zawraa were third and Al-Najaf were fourth.
Although a number of journalists recorded that the season had been considered null and void, several notable sources disputed this and reported that Al-Shorta had won, with the league being ended at round 27 by the IFA, which was the last round that had started before the outbreak of war.
On 14 October 2003, IFA secretary Jamal Burhanuddin confirmed the latter to be the case, stating that Al-Najaf finished in second place behind Al-Shorta who won first place with 65 points. This was Al-Shorta's third league win, having also won first place in 1979–80 and 1997–98.

League table

Top goalscorers