Yemeni Second Division
| Founded | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Number of clubs | 20 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| 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]
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
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "A history of 22 seasons of the Yemeni League" (in Arabic). Yemeni Sport. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- ^ Stevenson, Thomas; Alaug, Karim Abdul. "Yemeni Football and Identity Politics". Middle East Institute. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- ^ "The second division league kicks off on May 15th with a "two groups" system" (in Arabic). Almasdar Online. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- ^ a b "July 2023... The Yemeni League returns again" (in Arabic). Al Bayan. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Yemeni Football Association Announces Champions League Qualifiers for 2023-2024" (in Arabic). alkass.net. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- ^ "May 22 & Al-Shaab Secure Survival, Azal clings to last chance in second division playoffs". saba.ye. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- ^ "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.