Ethiopian Football Federation President Isayas Jira is set to secure a new term at the helm of the country’s football governing body after being confirmed as the sole verified candidate for the upcoming presidential vote.
The election is scheduled to take place on September 15, 2026 during the federation’s Annual General Assembly.
The EFF Electoral Committee announced the conclusion of the candidate verification process following evaluation meetings held on August 11, 17, and 19, 2026. Following a formal call issued to General Assembly members on July 28, 2026, with a submission deadline of August 10, 2026, the committee verified that Isayas is the only presidential candidate to satisfy all statutory criteria under the federation’s statutes.
Securing this upcoming term places Isayas Jira on track to become the longest-serving EFF President since the late Col. Tamirat Yigezu led the federation in the 1970s.
A former General Manager of the then Premier League clubs Sebeta and Jimma Aba Jifar, Isayas has steadily expanded his administrative reach across regional and international football bodies. Having previously served as Vice President of CECAFA, he is currently an active member of the CAF Executive Committee and serves on the FIFA Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee.
Since first taking office in 2018, the upcoming vote will officially endorse his slate to continue leading Ethiopian football into its third cycle.
