The 2012–13 Iraqi First Division League season began on December 8, 2012. Sulaymaniya were the champions of the previous season and Naft Al-Junoob were runners-up, hence both promoted to the 2012–13 Iraqi Premier League.
Format and teams.
The 42 teams were split into six groups. At the end of the regular season, the top 2 teams from each group, a total of 12 teams advanced to the next round. In the second round, these 12 teams will be split into two groups of 6, with teams playing a home and away round robin matches with each opponent in the group. The top two teams in each of the two groups advanced to the next round creating a 4 team playoff. The Final stage is one group with teams playing a home and away round robin matches with each opponent in the group. The top two teams qualify to the 2013–14 Iraqi Premier League next season.
Groups stage.
Group 1.
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Group 2.
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Final stage.
The Final stage is one group with teams playing a home and away round robin matches with each opponent in the group. The top two teams qualify to the 2013–14 Iraqi Premier League next season.
References.
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