Irish FA withdraws support for Infantino
August 25, 2026 18:29
The Irish Football Association (IFA) has announced it will not support Gianni Infantino in next year’s Fifa presidential election, saying it is "time for change" at the governing body. The IFA said the decision follows concerns raised by Infantino’s recent proposal to sell part of Fifa’s commercial operations.
The IFA had earlier expressed support for Uefa’s stance over the controversy but had not formally withdrawn backing until now. The sale plan — to transfer a 21% stake in Fifa’s commercial arm to a private investment company — was abandoned after broad criticism, including a Uefa threat to boycott Fifa competitions.
KEY CONTEXT
- Gianni Infantino has been Fifa president since 2016 and is due to stand for a fourth term in March.
- If re-elected and he completes that term, his time in office would reach 15 years by 2031.
- The IFA described the proposed sale as more than a communication error, saying it raised serious questions about Fifa’s strategy, governance and how its assets are being managed.
- The Football Associations of England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have previously publicly withdrawn their support for Infantino.
- Uefa publicly opposed the sale and threatened to boycott Fifa competitions, contributing to the plan being scrapped.
WHY IT MATTERS
Multiple national associations withdrawing backing highlights a rare and substantial level of institutional resistance to the Fifa president from inside European football. The dispute centered on the handling of Fifa’s commercial assets and governance questions — issues that go to the heart of how the global game’s governing body is run and who controls its revenue streams. The outcome could influence the dynamics of the March presidential contest and wider debates about Fifa’s future direction.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- The presidential election scheduled for March, when Infantino will stand for re-election.
- Whether additional national associations change or restate their positions ahead of the vote.
- Any further formal responses from Uefa or from Fifa concerning governance and commercial arrangements.
KEY FACTS
- The IFA has said it will not vote for Gianni Infantino’s re-election.
- Infantino proposed selling a 21% stake in Fifa’s commercial operations to a private investment company; the proposal was later withdrawn.
- Uefa threatened to boycott Fifa competitions over the plan.
- England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland’s FAs have already publicly withdrawn support for Infantino.
- Infantino, 56, has been Fifa president since 2016 and is standing for a fourth term in March.