The 2002–03 Iraqi First Division was the 29th season of the competition since its establishment in 1974. Organised by the Iraq Football Association (IFA), the league's name was changed to "Iraqi First Division", and it started on 6 September 2002. 27 rounds of the league were almost completed before the US-led invasion of Iraq began on 20 March 2003. Despite the outbreak of the Iraq War, matches continued with free entry for spectators and games from rounds 28 and 29 were played in the midst of the conflict. The last matches were played on 28 March before the league stopped and Saddam Hussein's government was overthrown.