Iwaki FC

is a football (soccer) club based in Iwaki, a city in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. The club competes in the J2 League, the second tier of Japanese football league system.

History

Founder Club

Iwaki FC was founded in 2012, before getting official recognition in 2013 with the creation of their homonymous corporation. The club name got more attention when Under Armour decided to support the club in climbing the Japanese football pyramid from the bottom. The vision behind the club’s formation, was an intention of "making Iwaki the central football-city in Tohoku". In service of this, a new training field opened in November 2016 and the club-house was just launched in May 2017: two central structures necessary to rise to the top of Japanese football.

Fukushima Prefectural Football League (2013–2017)

Results during this period supported Iwaki FC’s rise, as they won several lesser league titles in the Fukushima Prefectural Football Leagues, eventually joining the first division of the Fukushima Prefectural Leagues. Their next target was the Tohoku Soccer League. Meanwhile, the club achieved their first win at the 23rd National Club Team Football Championship Tournament (winning the final 9–0). Iwaki FC also debuted at Emperor's Cup in 2017 edition. After defeating Norbritz Hokkaido in the first round, they surprisingly overcame Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo for 5–2 after extra-time. They lost against Shimizu S-Pulse in the third round, but it was still a surprising run.

Tohoku Soccer League (2018–2019)

First advancing to the Tohoku Soccer League in 2018, Iwaki FC earned promotion to the following year's JFL for the first time in history in 2019, after two seasons in the Tohoku Soccer League competition. The club won the All Japan Regional Promotion Series and as a result Iwaki was crowned champions.

Japan Football League (JFL) (2020–2021)

Joining the Japan Football League for the 2020 season, in the 2021 season, Iwaki FC finished in first position in the JFL competition, earned promotion to the following year's J3 League after two seasons in JFL competition. The team were crowned champions for their first title in the fourth tier in Japan Football League.

J. League (2022–)

In the 2022 season, their first year in the J3 League, Iwaki FC received a J2 license on 28 October 2022, and become eligible for promotion. On 6 November the same year, they were crowned J3 League champions, earning promotion to the following year's J2 League. They secured the league title in the 32nd round, following a 3–0 win against Kagoshima United and defeats for the 2nd and 3rd-placed teams in that round: Fujieda MYFC and Matsumoto Yamaga. 14 days later, Iwaki FC finished as league champions, ending their 2022 season with 78 points from 34 matches, 11 points clear of 2nd-placed Fujieda MYFC, who also ended up being promoted to the J2. On 26 September 2023, Iwaki FC was declared to have met the requirements to obtain a license up to J1 League level.

Stadium

Iwaki FC played at J-Village Stadium in Hirono during the 2022 J3 season. However, following their promotion to the J2 League, they now use Hawaiians Stadium Iwaki, located in Iwaki.

League and cup record

;Key
* Pos. = Position in league; P = Games played; W = Games won; D = Games drawn; L = Games lost; F = Goals scored; A = Goals conceded; GD = Goals difference; Pts = Points gained

Honours

Current squad

Out on loan

Club officials

Managerial history

Kit evolution

References

External links

Official Site (Japanese)

{{Japanese Club Football, group=clubs

Iwaki FC
Football clubs in Japan
Sports clubs and teams in Fukushima Prefecture
Iwaki, Fukushima
Association football clubs established in 2012
2012 establishments in Japan
Japan Football League clubs
J.League clubs