Irish FA withdraws support for Infantino and says it is time for change

WHAT THE REPORTS SHOW

BBC Sport and The Irish News report that the Irish Football Association, the governing body for football in Northern Ireland, withdrew its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino on 25 August 2026. BBC Sport reports that the association will not vote for Infantino in the FIFA presidential election scheduled for 2027.

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THE IFA’S STATED REASONS

In the statement reported by both outlets, the IFA criticised the proposal to sell part of FIFA’s assets to a private equity firm without consultation. It said the episode raised fundamental questions about strategy, governance and stewardship of FIFA’s assets.

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THE CALL FOR CHANGE

The IFA stated: “We believe the time has come for change.”

With this announcement, the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have each publicly withdrawn support for Infantino, according to the reporting used here.

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COUNTERPOSITION AND LIMITS

Publicly documented support for Infantino continues, including support reported from CAF, individual associations and Samuel Eto’o. The IFA decision adds to documented opposition but does not establish the position of a majority of FIFA’s 211 member associations.

The reports do not establish that Infantino has been removed, that the election is decided or that a challenger has been confirmed.

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