These regional league championships lasted until 1973,[1] when the IFA established the first nationwide football league in Iraq by the name of Iraqi National First Division, which featured a mixture of clubs and institute teams.

After one season, a new clubs-only league competition was established, with many of the institute teams merging together or being replaced by sports clubs.

The first season saw Al-Tayaran (now known as Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya) achieving the league title.

[2] The four "Popular Teams" of Baghdad (Al-Zawraa, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Shorta and Al-Talaba), have dominated the now-called Iraq Stars League over the years.

Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and Al-Shorta have appeared in every season of the top-flight, while Al-Zawraa and Al-Talaba have also never been relegated.