The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has released its 2026-2029 Strategy under the headline of ‘It’s Time To Change The Game’.

The Strategy aims to build a self-sustaining ecosystem for the future of Irish Football with an overarching goal of inspiring the nation through our Ireland international teams qualifying for major tournaments. 

Over the course of the next four-year strategic cycle, the three main priorities will be:

1. Getting boys and girls playing more football

2. Developing facilities at every level

3. Growing talent through our League of Ireland Academies

Download 2026-2029 FAI Strategy 

While football is Ireland’s most played sport, not everyone is fortunate enough to have the same experience or access. This is why it’s time to change the game.

Ireland is the third most underperforming nation in UEFA, when population, participation and resources are taken into account. This underperformance is evident across national teams, clubs and player development. It highlights a clear gap between the amount of football played in this country and the results that can be delivered. This issue reflects structural challenges across the system: 

• Ireland international teams qualify for fewer major tournaments compared to similar European nations

• League of Ireland clubs operate with far lower staffing, facilities and commercial capacity to European peers

• Access to clear and consistent player pathways varies across the country resulting in less contact time

• Many grassroots clubs lack the basic infrastructure required for modern participation and development

The 2026-2029 FAI Strategy aims to implement changes to Facilities, Football Development and League of Ireland that will embed the foundations of a football ecosystem that can deliver success at every level. 

In order to support these changes, the Association will innovate through three different Gamechangers; Global Ireland Football Foundation, Football Pathways Plan and the League of Ireland Academies. If these areas can have a positive impact then it can inspire everyone involved in the game to work together to create success at every level.  

Although there is large scope for improvement within Irish football, there have been a number of success stories which are important to note:  

• €122m of €863m 15-year infrastructure investment target raised so far 

• 14th in the overall participation rate amongst 55 UEFA nations 

• +79% increase in Women & Girls’ participation  

• League of Ireland brings €164.7m to the Irish Economy (BDO Report 2024)  

• Ireland WNT qualified for first major tournament (2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup) 

• +10% increase in disability football players

• +111% partnership growth 

While great strides have been made over the past number of years, the football ecosystem remains complex and fragmented with large representative structures, multiple committees and consistent governance models across leagues and grassroots. 

The Association will lead a sustained programme of change and continuous improvement throughout this next strategic cycle, informed by external engagement and best-practice governance standards, and under-pinned by this Strategy.  

FAI President Paul Cooke said: “Following an extensive period of consultation with stakeholders from around the country, we are proud to launch the 2026-2029 FAI Strategy that aims to have a transformative impact on the future of Irish football. With our priorities focused on facilities, football development and League of Ireland, it is vital that we use these pillars to affect all areas of our game and ensure that we are successful on and off the pitch.”

Chair of the FAI Board Tony Keohane said: “It is hugely important that the 2026-2029 FAI Strategy is used to help build a self-sustaining ecosystem that will ensure our players, coaches, administrators, referees, volunteers, supporters and stakeholders know that they all have a part to play in delivering success for Irish football. This Strategy outlines what we can achieve and how to achieve it.”

FAI CEO David Courell said: “It is exciting to launch the 2026-2029 FAI Strategy as we set about getting more boys and girls to play more football, developing facilities at every level and growing talent through our League of Ireland Academies. This is a crucial period for Irish football and we must make necessary changes so that we are no longer the third most underperforming nation in UEFA. Put simply, we must modernise how we develop and deliver football; this Strategy provides the blueprint to help us achieve that.”