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Irish Football Association withdraws support for Gianni Infantino's FIFA re-election

The governing body joins other British and Irish football associations in opposing the FIFA president following a controversial commercial proposal.

Updated Aug 25, 2026 · 17:23 UTC1 reports

The short version

The Irish Football Association (IFA) announced it will not vote for Gianni Infantino in the upcoming FIFA presidential election, declaring that it is "time for change."
The decision follows a scrapped plan by Infantino to sell a 21% stake in FIFA's commercial operations to a private equity firm without consultation.
The IFA joins the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland, which had already publicly withdrawn their backing.
Infantino remains scheduled to run for a fourth term as FIFA president in March.

The Irish Football Association officially withdrew its support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino's re-election attempt scheduled for March.[BBC News]
The IFA cited Infantino's aborted plan to sell a 21% private equity stake in FIFA's commercial operations, stating it raised fundamental questions about strategy, governance, and stewardship.[BBC News]
The proposed asset sale was cancelled following widespread opposition, including a threat by UEFA to boycott FIFA events.[BBC News]
The football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland had previously withdrawn their support for Infantino.[BBC News]

It remains unknown whether additional member associations will withdraw their backing or if a competing candidate will challenge Infantino in the March election.[BBC News]