Irish FA Withdraws Support for FIFA President Infantino Ahead of 2027 Election
The Irish Football Association has withdrawn its support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, declaring it is "time for change" in world football's governing body and confirming it will not vote for his re-election at the 2027 FIFA Congress — making the IFA one of the first European football associations to publicly break with Infantino ahead of what is expected to be a contested election.
Background
Gianni Infantino has served as FIFA President since 2016, when he was elected following the resignation of Sepp Blatter amid a corruption scandal that shook world football to its foundations. Infantino's tenure has been marked by significant expansion of FIFA's commercial revenues, the controversial enlargement of the World Cup to 48 teams, and the award of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar — a decision that was made before his election but which he has defended throughout his presidency despite widespread criticism of the human rights record of the host nation.
The Irish Football Association, which governs football in Northern Ireland and is a separate body from the Football Association of Ireland in the Republic, has been a member of FIFA since 1911 and has historically maintained a relatively low profile in the politics of world football governance. The IFA's decision to publicly withdraw support from Infantino is therefore a significant departure from its usual approach and reflects a broader shift in sentiment within European football associations about the direction of FIFA under his leadership.
UEFA, the European football governing body, has had a complex relationship with Infantino, who served as UEFA General Secretary before his election as FIFA President. Several European associations have expressed private reservations about Infantino's leadership style and his management of FIFA's relationship with its member associations, but few have been willing to make their opposition public ahead of the 2027 election.
Key Developments
The IFA's statement, issued on Tuesday, confirmed that the association had concluded that it was "time for change" at FIFA and that it would not be supporting Infantino's re-election bid. The statement cited concerns about governance, transparency, and the direction of world football under Infantino's leadership, without specifying particular incidents or decisions. The IFA indicated it would be engaging with other European associations to discuss the 2027 election and the qualities required in FIFA's next president.
The decision was welcomed by football reform advocates, who have long argued that FIFA requires more robust governance structures and greater accountability to its member associations. Critics of Infantino's leadership have pointed to his close relationship with authoritarian governments that have hosted or bid for major FIFA tournaments, his management of the Qatar World Cup legacy issues, and his handling of the expanded Club World Cup as evidence that FIFA's priorities have drifted away from the development of the game at grassroots level.
Infantino has not yet formally announced his candidacy for re-election in 2027, but is widely expected to seek a third term. His supporters argue that his commercial acumen has transformed FIFA's financial position and that the expanded World Cup format will bring the game to new audiences and markets.
Why It Matters
The IFA's decision matters because it signals a willingness among smaller European associations to break publicly with Infantino at a time when the political dynamics of the 2027 FIFA election are still being shaped. FIFA's 211 member associations each have one vote in presidential elections, meaning that the support of smaller associations — including those from Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas — is crucial to any candidate's prospects. A public withdrawal of support by the IFA, even if it represents only one vote, may encourage other associations that share similar reservations to make their positions known.
For Northern Ireland football specifically, the IFA's stance on FIFA governance reflects a broader engagement with the politics of world sport that goes beyond the immediate interests of the domestic game. The IFA has been an active participant in UEFA's governance structures and has supported reforms to European football's financial regulations, positioning itself as an association that takes governance seriously. The decision to break with Infantino is consistent with that positioning.
Local Impact
For football fans and clubs across Northern Ireland — from the Irish Premiership clubs in Belfast, Derry, Coleraine, and Ballymena to the grassroots clubs that form the foundation of the game — the IFA's stance on FIFA governance is unlikely to have an immediate practical impact. The day-to-day running of football in Northern Ireland is determined by IFA and UEFA regulations rather than FIFA decisions. However, the IFA's willingness to take a principled stand on world football governance reflects well on the association's leadership and may strengthen its credibility in future negotiations with UEFA and FIFA on issues that do directly affect Northern Ireland football.
What's Next
The 2027 FIFA Congress, at which the presidential election will take place, is scheduled for May 2027. The IFA has indicated it will engage with other European associations over the coming months to discuss the election and to identify candidates who might command broad support for a reform agenda. UEFA is expected to hold internal discussions about the FIFA election at its executive committee meeting in September. The Football Association of Ireland in the Republic has not yet indicated its position on the 2027 FIFA election.
