FOOTBALL DAILY: FAI strategy plan launched, Ireland lag behind, the Israel question, and Shels and Rovers thriller in Tolka
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Hello and welcome along to Tuesday's Football Daily. I'm Phil Egan. Coming up today, the FAI launches its strategy for the next four years. We hear from Joey O'Brien and Stephen Bradley after last night's two-all draw at Taka Park. And we look ahead to tonight's last 16 action in the Champions League. But first today, the FAI has launched its strategy for 2026 to 2029. The three main priorities. are to get boys and girls playing more football, to develop facilities at every level and to grow talent through League of Ireland academies. The findings also highlight that Ireland has the 14th highest participation rate in football among the 55 UEFA member countries. but the FAI says it's the third most underperforming of them.
For example, 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 grassroot clubs lack the basic infrastructure required for modern participation and development. There's an average of three and a half full-time staff at League of Ireland clubs. The target is for 15 over the next three years. Another target is for the senior men's team to move into Europe's top 20. The current UEFA ranking is 28th. The women's senior team is 18th. The target is to get them into the top 15.
FAI CEO David Carell told Off the Balls David Wilson today it's a crucial period for Irish football.
It's a new chapter for Irish football. We've entitled it Change the Game. The reason being, if we reflect honestly, we have been underperforming as a nation. That's understood by a lot of people, but it's actually the facts as well. UEFA evaluate every federation. within their membership, based on the size of their population, how many players they have in their country, how their teams are performing in European club competitions and international competitions, players, coaches, etc. And sadly, Irish football, out of the 55 federations, when you line them all up, is the third most underperforming nation. So something's not been working. We've been conscious of that for a few years and we've been slowly building towards this new strategy.
We recently concluded a transformation programme which completely changed the shape of how the organisation is set up. We've done that with this strategy in mind.
David also asked the FAI CEO for the latest on Ireland's Nations League games against Israel later this year.
What is the FAI's strategy plan for 2026 to 2029?
We have to look at this in the round and we have to look at it through the lens of what's in the interest of Irish football. Leadership requires difficult decisions and not everyone will support the one that we've taken but it is equally in its own right a difficult one. and it is in the interest of protecting the game and ensuring that we are able to protect the interests not only of our men's national team but everything that flows off the back of it. So no, this is a decision that we've taken with pure intentions. We are in these roles, the board and the executive appointed to be custodians of Irish football and that's what we're trying to do.
Do you feel pressure from UEFA as well to get the games played?
No, UEFA have not been overbearing on the topic. They recognise the depth of sentiment in this country. Obviously, it's very clear in their statutes that games have to be fulfilled and there will be immediate repercussions if we don't, as I've outlined when I previously did media. But no, they understand we're in a challenging position. I have nothing further to add.
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