Founded 1986 Number of teams 4 Most successful club(s) Al-Shorta
(3 titles) | Region Iraq Current champions Al-Zawra'a
(1st title) Television broadcasters Iraqiyah Sport TV | |
The Baghdad Cup (Arabic: كأس بغداد) is a friendly football competition hosted by Al-Shaab Stadium and contested between either two of or all four of the four biggest clubs in Baghdad: Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, Al-Shorta, Al-Talaba and Al-Zawra'a. Occurring six times, the competition mainly supported different national events or causes. The tournament used to be known as the Al-Nasr Al-Adheem Cup, meaning "Great Victory Cup".
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1986 'Farewell League' Cup
The first edition of the tournament was played in 1986 between just two of the teams: Al-Zawra'a and Al-Tayaran (now known as Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya). It was referred to as the 'Farewell League' Cup because the match was played just after the end of the 1985–86 Iraqi National League season. Al-Tayaran won the match 2–1 thanks to goals from Mohammed Jassim and Mahdi Jassim.
1987 Al-Nasr Al-Adheem Cup
The second edition was held in 1987 and all four clubs participated. All four teams played each other once and Al-Shorta won the tournament. Only two results from this tournament are known.
1996 Al-Nasr Al-Adheem Cup
The 1996 edition was also played by all four clubs. Al-Shorta won two of their matches and drew one of them, gaining seven points which was enough for them to win the cup. Four results from this tournament are known.
2001 Baghdad Challenge Cup
The 2001 edition of the tournament, known officially as the Baghdad Challenge Cup, was held on 14 November 2001. This time, only two of the four clubs participated, which were Al-Talaba and Al-Zawra'a. The tournament was held by the Ministry of Tourism. This was actually a 2001–02 Iraqi Elite League match, but also functioned as the cup match with the winners receiving the Baghdad Cup trophy as well as the three points in the league. Al-Talaba won the match 2–1 thanks to goals from Sabah Jeayer and Younis Mahmoud.
2013 Baghdad Cup
The 2013 version was held on 16 June as part of the Festival of Brotherhood, Love and Peace, a festival held in accordance with the Ministry of Youth and Sport to promote peace in Iraq. Therefore, it is often referred to as the 2013 Brotherhood, Love and Peace Cup. Al-Kadhimiya and Al-Adhamiya played against each other to open the festival with Al-Kadhimiya winning 1–0 thanks to Raddad Suhail's goal, before rivals Al-Shorta (who were top of the league at the time) and Al-Zawra'a (who were second in the league at the time) played out the cup final. Al-Shorta won 1–0 with Hussein Karim's second-half goal. Al-Shorta also won the Iraqi Premier League in that season to complete the double.
2015 Baghdad Cup
The 2015 version was held on 21 March in support of the Iraqi Armed Forces and was contested by all four clubs this time. Each match was only 30 minutes long as opposed to 90 minutes and were all played on the same day, one after another, therefore not counted as competitive games. Al-Zawra'a won the mini-tournament by defeating Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in a penalty shootout in the final.