Irish Football Association (IFA)

The Irish Football Association (IFA), a privately owned organization founded in 1880, is the governing body for association football in Northern Ireland. Employing approximately 260 people and headquartered in the United Kingdom, the IFA's primary activity is the organization and administration of spectator sports. Historically, it managed the Ireland national football team from its inception until 1950; following a period of shared representation, the IFA subsequently became solely responsible for the Northern Ireland national team from 1954 onwards.