Yemeni Second Division

Last updated
Yemeni Second Division
Founded1990
Country Flag of Yemen.svg Yemen
Number of clubs20
Level on pyramid2
Promotion to Yemeni League
Relegation to Yemeni Third Division
Domestic cup President Cup

The Yemeni Second Division is the second-tier league of association football in Yemen, operating under the auspices of the Yemen Football Association. [1] [2]

Contents

History

The league was founded in 1990 following Yemeni unification. [3]

Format

Twenty teams representing local sports club typically compete in the league as of 2010, following FIFA requirements. [4] In 2013, the league switched to a group-style format with two groups of ten teams with matches played at centralized locations. Previously, the league was played in a home-and-away style. [5] By 2023, the league returned to the home-and-away format. [6]

Promotion/Relegation

The league's top four clubs are promoted to the Yemeni League while the four poorest performing clubs are relegated to the Yemeni Third Division. [7] [8] [9] At times, including prior to the 2023/2024 season, clubs boycotted the league system for suspending the promotion and relegation system. [6] Prior the 2025/2026 season, a play-off tournament was held prior to the start of the season to determine which clubs which compete in the Second and Third Divisions. [10]

See also

References

  1. "The Football Association sets the date for the Yemeni First and Second Division Leagues and approves the Youth and Junior Championships" (in Arabic). Al Sahwa Yemen. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  2. "Good news for Yemeni football: The Football Association announces a comprehensive plan for the launch of the league competitions across all three divisions" (in Arabic). Al Mashhad. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  3. "A history of 22 seasons of the Yemeni League" (in Arabic). Yemeni Sport. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  4. Stevenson, Thomas; Alaug, Karim Abdul. "Yemeni Football and Identity Politics". Middle East Institute. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  5. "The second division league kicks off on May 15th with a "two groups" system" (in Arabic). Almasdar Online. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  6. 1 2 "July 2023... The Yemeni League returns again" (in Arabic). Al Bayan. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  7. "The Yemeni Football Association decides to resume the season and launch the second and third division leagues" (in Arabic). Al Kass. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  8. "Yemeni Football Association Announces Champions League Qualifiers for 2023-2024" (in Arabic). alkass.net. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  9. "May 22 & Al-Shaab Secure Survival, Azal clings to last chance in second division playoffs". saba.ye. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  10. "he Yemeni Football Association announces the registration date for the second division clubs' playoffs and approves the competition mechanism". Aden Todey. Retrieved 23 November 2025.