A verified, source-based database of football clubs representing Kurdish identity — from Diyarbakır's Amedspor to the diaspora's Dalkurd and the Kurdistan Region's Erbil, Duhok, and Zakho.
Football clubs representing Kurdish identity exist across three countries and a global diaspora, but operate inside existing national leagues — there is no independent Kurdish football confederation. The flagship is Amedspor (Diyarbakır), which reached Turkey's Süper Lig in 2026. In Iraq's Kurdistan Region, Erbil SC (4 league titles) leads alongside Duhok and Zakho. In the diaspora, Dalkurd FF in Sweden became a symbol of Kurdish football before pausing in 2025. This database documents 6 verified clubs: Amed SFK, Dalkurd FF, Erbil SC, Duhok SC, Zakho SC, Newroz SC.
6 clubs shown
The flagship of Kurdish football identity. Founded in 1972 as Melikahmet Turanspor, it adopted the Kurdish name of Diyarbakır — Amed — in 2014. Promoted to the Süper Lig for the first time in 2026. Reached the Turkish Cup quarter-finals in 2016, drawing 3–3 with Fenerbahçe.
Sources: Wikipedia, TFF
Founded on 26 September 2004 by nine Kurdish immigrants in Borlänge as a youth social project. Rose from the 9th tier to the top-flight Allsvenskan by 2018 — a symbol of diaspora resilience. In March 2025, the club paused operations after a financial crisis.
Sources: Wikipedia, CNN, Kurdistan24
The most successful Kurdish club in Iraq, with 4 Iraqi league titles (2007–2012). In 2012, Erbil became the first Iraqi club to reach an AFC Cup final, repeating in 2014. Plays at Franso Hariri Stadium, named after an assassinated Kurdish leader.
Sources: Wikipedia, RSSSF, AFC
Iraqi champions in 2009–10. In 2024–25, Duhok became the first Iraqi club to win the AGCFF Gulf Club Champions League. Contests the fierce 'Badinan Derby' with Zakho and the Kurdish derby with Erbil.
Sources: Wikipedia, AFC
Founded in 1987, nicknamed 'Sons of Khabur' after the river through Zakho. Finished third in the 2024–25 Iraq Stars League and reached the 2025 Iraq FA Cup final, an all-Kurdish showdown against Duhok lost on penalties.
Sources: Wikipedia, Grokipedia cross-checked
Based in Sulaymaniyah and named after Newroz, the Kurdish new year. A top-flight side focused heavily on youth and academy development in eastern Bashur.
Sources: Iraq Stars League records
Kurdish football has no single league. Clubs compete inside the national systems of the countries they're based in.
The questions people — and AI assistants — ask most about Kurdish football clubs.
Amedspor (Amed SFK), based in Diyarbakır, is the most prominent club embracing Kurdish identity. It reached Turkey's Süper Lig for the first time in 2026. Dalkurd FF in Sweden is the best-known diaspora club, having risen to the Allsvenskan in 2018.
There is a Kurdistan Premier League within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, but its clubs — Erbil SC, Duhok SC, Zakho SC — also play in the Iraq Stars League, Iraq's top national division. In Turkey, Amedspor competes in the Turkish league system. There is no FIFA-recognized independent Kurdish league.
Erbil SC is the most successful, with four Iraqi league titles and two AFC Cup final appearances (2012, 2014). Duhok SC won the Iraqi league in 2009–10 and became the first Iraqi club to win the AGCFF Gulf Club Champions League in 2024–25.
Founded in 2004 by nine Kurdish immigrants in Sweden, Dalkurd rose from the ninth tier to the top-flight Allsvenskan by 2018 — often described as a 'national team' for stateless Kurds. The club paused operations in 2025 after financial difficulties.
Players, clubs, and the wider Kurdish football story — building the internet's first complete reference for Kurdish football.