The Iraqi football club born from an air force base
In short: Founded by flight officers in 1931, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya is Iraq's oldest football club. From playing in army fatigues to becoming the first team to win a continental treble, their history is a journey of military roots, fierce rivalries, and a pursuit of domestic and Asian glory.
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya was established on July 4, 1931, just 73 days after the Iraqi Air Force was formed. Personnel from the Iraqi flight police who worked at RAF Hinaidi, a British Royal Air Force base, established the group. Originally named Gipsy Moth—after the first fleet of aircraft used by the Iraqi Air Force—the club was quickly renamed Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya Al-Malakiya, meaning Royal Air Force. In their debut match, the team played in military fatigues and short khakis, securing a victory against a team from RAF Habbaniya.
The club's growth eventually drew the attention of British forces, who sought to limit its influence. However, King Ghazi, who ascended to the throne in 1933, intervened to protect the club's interests, eventually placing it under the control of another Air Force branch. This move facilitated the club's expansion across Iraq. By the late 1950s, the club underwent several identity shifts, including a period as Al-Tayaran (Airlines) before reclaiming its original name in 1991 following a government order to dissolve all clubs under the Ministry of Interior's control.
The club's legacy is defined by historic milestones. In the 1996–97 season, they became the first Iraqi team to secure all four major national trophies in a single year. They also achieved a unique continental feat, becoming the first club to win the AFC Cup three years in a row (2016, 2017, and 2018). Today, they remain one of Baghdad's 'Big Four' clubs, currently preparing for a new 15,000-seater stadium set to be completed in 2028.
The club maintains deep-seated rivalries, most notably with Al-Zawraa in the 'Iraqi Classico.' They also share a historical rivalry with Al-Minaa, as both are considered the oldest clubs in the country. Despite these tensions, Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya remains a cornerstone of Iraqi sports, balancing its military heritage with a modern professional identity.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
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