Founded in the Queens Hotel, Belfast back on 18th November 1880 the Irish Football Association is the fourth oldest governing body in the world behind the other three home associations. Up until partition in 1921 the Irish FA governed football across the entire island but a decision by the Dublin clubs to form their own association led to the formation of the FAI (Football Association of Ireland).

The Irish FA is a member of the International Football Board – the rule-making body – and sits as an equal with the other British associations and representatives of FIFA.

The Association has just over 960 registered clubs and 25,000 players spread over less than 5,500 square miles.

The Association is based at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, Belfast.