Irfan Fandi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Irfan Fandi

Irfan playing for Singapore in 2018
Personal information
Full name	Irfan bin Fandi Ahmad
Date of birth	(1997-08-13) 13 August 1997 (age 28)
Place of birth	Singapore
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Port
Number	17
Youth career
2012–2013	National Football Academy
2013	Hércules
2014	Barnechea
2014–2015	Universidad Católica
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015	Universidad Católica	1	(0)
2015	Young Lions	9	(2)
2016–2017	Home United	25	(6)
2018	Young Lions	18	(2)
2019–2024	BG Pathum United	97	(8)
2024–	Port	15	(0)
International career‡
2015–2019	Singapore U22	7	(1)
2014–2019	Singapore U23	32	(8)
2016–	Singapore	48	(2)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Singapore Merlion Cup Winner 2019 Singapore
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:33, 21 March 2024 (UTC)

Irfan bin Fandi Ahmad (born August 13, 1997), known as Irfan Fandi, is a professional footballer from Singapore. He plays mainly as a centre-back for Thai League 1 club Port and the Singapore national team.

Earlier in his career, Irfan played as a striker and a winger. He later changed to the centre-back position. In 2013, Goal.com named him one of the Top 20 Southeast Asian Rising Stars. The next year, The Guardian also listed Irfan among the top 40 best young football talents worldwide.

Irfan started his football journey in the youth system at the National Football Academy (NFA). He then had trials with different clubs. At 18, he made his professional debut for Chilean Primera División team Universidad Católica in 2015. Irfan was offered a two-year contract but chose to return to Singapore. For the next three years, he played for local clubs like the Young Lions and Home United. During this time, he also had trials with Dutch club Groningen and Portuguese club Braga. He turned down a contract offer from Braga.

In 2018, Irfan joined Thailand's BG Pathum United before the 2019 Thai League 2 season. He played a key role in helping the club get promoted back to the Thai League 1 right away. Later, the club became the champions of Thailand in the 2021–22 Thai League 1 season. This made Irfan the first Singaporean to win Thailand's top league trophy. During their championship season, Irfan led BG Pathum's defense. The club lost only one game all season, letting in just 11 goals in 24 matches and keeping 15 clean sheets.

Irfan made his first appearance for the Singapore senior national team in 2016. He scored his first goal as a centre-back against Turkmenistan in 2017. As of 2022, he had played 38 matches for his country. He has represented Singapore in various international tournaments, including the 2018 and 2020 AFF Championships.

Irfan also made history in 2025 by becoming the first Singaporean to win two matches against English teams. He helped the ASEAN All-Stars team defeat Manchester United. Later, he won the 2025 Piala Presiden with Port against Oxford United.

About Irfan Fandi

Early Life and Family

Irfan was born in Singapore on August 13, 1997. He is the oldest son of Singaporean football legend Fandi Ahmad and former South African model Wendy Jacobs.

Irfan has four siblings. His younger brothers, Ikhsan and Ilhan, also play for BG Pathum United. His brother Iryan plays for Young Lions. His sister, Iman, is a singer, actress, and model. Irfan's grandfather, Ahmad Wartam, was a former national goalkeeper.

Education and National Service

Irfan attended the Singapore Sports School in Woodlands.

Irfan and his brother Ikhsan completed their National Service (NS) with the Singapore Police Force (SPF). This was from 2016 to 2018. They continued to play and train professionally under a special Sportsmen Scheme. This scheme, from the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), allows athletes flexible schedules for sports events. This includes representing Singapore in international competitions.

Irfan's Club Journey

Starting in Youth Football

Irfan began his football career in the youth system of the National Football Academy (NFA).

In March 2013, Irfan had a chance to play overseas with Hércules, a Spanish professional club. However, he could not get a contract because of visa problems. He then joined Chilean team Barnechea, signing a two-year contract.

Playing for Universidad Católica

Irfan joined Chilean Primera División club Universidad Católica in 2014. He made his first team debut the next year. He came on as a substitute in the 81st minute when Universidad Católica was winning 4–0 against San Luis de Quillota. This made him the first Singaporean to play in Chile's top league. However, Irfan later turned down a two-year contract from the club. He wanted to return to Singapore to complete his National Service.

Time with Young Lions

On March 5, 2015, it was announced that Irfan would join S.League team Young Lions. He signed a six-month contract for the 2015 S.League season. On the same day, he was immediately in the starting lineup against Tampines Rovers. This was because Shakir Hamzah was injured.

Playing for Home United

In January 2016, Irfan signed a two-year contract with Home United. His brother, Ikhsan, also joined the club for the 2016 S.League season. Irfan scored two goals against Balestier Khalsa in only his second start of the season. He had been away for most of the season due to his National Service duties.

On March 14, 2017, Puma announced a two-year sponsorship deal with Irfan. His former Chilean club, Club Deportivo Universidad Católica, was also reportedly interested in signing him again after he finished his national service.

Irfan scored his first goal in the 2017 S.League season in a 2–0 win over Hougang United. He then scored his first goal in a continental competition. He scored in the 24th minute against Myanmar's Yadanarbon in the 2017 AFC Cup. This goal helped his team to a 3–0 lead in a 4–1 win. This victory made Home United the first team to reach the zonal semi-finals. Irfan was later nominated for the S.League's 'Young Player of the Season' award. His good performances also caught the eye of Thailand's BG Pathum United, which he later joined. He was also offered a trial with English club Leeds United in December 2017.

Return to Young Lions

In January 2018, Irfan rejoined Young Lions after his national service. He played for them in the first 2018 Singapore Premier League season.

Trials in Europe

In February 2018, Irfan and his brother, Ikhsan, had trials at Eredivisie club Groningen. Their father, Fandi Ahmad, used to play for this club. Irfan also had another trial with Portuguese top-tier team Braga. Braga offered him a two-year deal, with an option to extend for two more years. Irfan turned down the offer. He said he felt lonely and homesick during his short time with the club. He also mentioned that a clause requiring a large payment of 15 million euros if he left the club early was another reason he did not accept. Irfan eventually rejoined the Young Lions and finished the season with 22 appearances and 3 goals.

Success with BG Pathum United

On November 11, 2018, it was confirmed that Irfan would join BG Pathum United. He filled the club's ASEAN player spot for the 2019 Thai League 2 season. Irfan agreed to join the Thai team even though they had been relegated. They had been interested in signing him for two years. On April 7, 2019, he scored his first two goals for the club in a league match against Samut Sakhon City. BG Pathum won that game 6–1. In a return match against the same opponent on August 10, 2019, Irfan scored another two goals in a 3–0 away win. In Irfan's first season, he won the Thai League 2 title. This helped the club get promoted back to the Thai League 1.

Interest from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

In December 2021, South Korea's champions Jeonbuk Hyundai showed interest in Irfan. BG Pathum and Jeonbuk had played in the AFC Champions League in September 2021. Irfan had played very well in BG Pathum's defense during that match. According to The Straits Times, a Jeonbuk agent asked for Irfan's contact details the day after the game. Following Jeonbuk's interest, BG Pathum's chairman, Kawin Bhirombhakdi, asked for at least 30 million baht (about S$1.23 million) for Irfan's transfer fee. Irfan told Straits Times that he respected his club's decision. He felt he had grown a lot at the club.

Winning the Thai League 1 Title

On February 15, 2020, Irfan was sent off in the first half of his first top-flight game in Thailand. BG Pathum was losing 1–0 to Muangthong United. However, the club eventually won the game 2–1.

The season after winning the Thai League 2 title, Irfan became the first Singaporean to win the Thai League 1 title. His club secured the championship with a 19-point lead over second-placed Buriram United, with six games still to play. Irfan was crucial to their victory. The defense only let in 11 goals in 24 matches and kept 15 clean sheets.

Irfan won his fourth trophy, the 2022 Thailand Champions Cup, with BG Pathum. They won 3–2 against Buriram United. He helped the team finish as group leaders in the 2022 AFC Champions League. This meant the club qualified for the Round of 16. Irfan helped keep a clean sheet in a 4–0 win against Hong Kong club Kitchee. The club then reached the quarter-finals for the first time in the tournament's history. They lost to the eventual winners, Urawa Red Diamonds. Irfan played the full 90 minutes, becoming the first Singaporean, along with his brother Ikhsan, to reach the AFC Champions League quarter-finals.

On August 22, 2023, Irfan played the entire 90-minute match in the 2023–24 AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs against Shanghai Port. BG Pathum won the game 3–2, qualifying for the group stage. On February 10, 2024, Irfan returned to action after a six-month injury. He scored the equalizing goal in the 83rd minute of the game, leading to a 1–1 draw against PT Prachuap. On June 16, 2024, Irfan won his fifth trophy with the club, the 2023–24 Thai League Cup.

Moving to Port F.C.

After five seasons with BG Pathum United, where he played 124 matches and scored 10 goals, Irfan signed with another Thai League 1 club, Port, on June 17, 2024. He joined Indonesian player Asnawi Mangkualam as the club's second ASEAN import. He made his debut in a league match against Rayong on August 10, which Port won 3–1 away. During an away game in the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two against Indonesian club Persib Bandung, Irfan formed a strong partnership with Ghanaian player Isaac Honny. This helped the team win a close 1–0 victory against Persib Bandung.

Port was invited by the Football Association of Indonesia to play in the 2025 Piala Presiden in July 2025. Irfan played against both Persib Bandung and Dewa United in the group stage. Irfan scored his first goal for Port with a diving header in the 90+5th minute of stoppage time. This gave his team a 2–1 win against Dewa United on July 10, 2025. This win sent his team to the final to face EFL Championship side Oxford United. Surprisingly, Port managed to win 2–1. This made Irfan the first Singaporean to win two matches against an English team.

Other Football Experiences

Playing for ASEAN All-Stars

Irfan was chosen as the only player from Singapore to represent the ASEAN All-Stars in the Maybank Challenge Cup. Irfan played in the 1–0 win against Manchester United on May 28, 2025. The match took place at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium.

International Career

Youth National Teams

Irfan was part of the Singapore U16 team in the 25th Lion City Cup in 2013. He played well against Arsenal U15 and Eintracht Frankfurt U15. He made his Singapore U23 debut on February 14, 2015, scoring against Japan U22s. Coach Aide Iskandar then selected him for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games.

Senior National Team

In September 2016, national team coach V. Sundramoorthy called Irfan up for friendly matches. These were against Malaysia and Hong Kong on October 7 and 11. He made his debut for the senior national team against Hong Kong at the Mongkok Stadium. He earned his second cap in a friendly against Afghanistan. He then started his first game against Bahrain in Singapore's first third-round match of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification. He helped the Lions get a 0-0 away draw.

Irfan was chosen for the Singapore Selection squad for The Sultan of Selangor's Cup on May 6, 2017. He also made his AFF Championship debut in the 2018 tournament on November 9. Singapore won 1–0 against Indonesia.

Irfan was called up to the national team for a friendly against Afghanistan. He also played in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in Riyadh. These were against Palestine, Uzbekistan, and Saudi Arabia. His brothers, Ikhsan and Ilhan, were also called up. This was the first time all three brothers were selected together.

On December 25, 2021, in the second leg of the 2020 AFF Championship semi-final match against Indonesia, Irfan was sent off. This was in the 67th minute after he tackled Irfan Jaya. The referee decided he had stopped a goal-scoring chance.

On March 26, 2022, against Malaysia, Irfan played alongside his younger brothers Ikhsan and Ilhan. This was the first time that the three Fandi brothers played in the same match for the national team. It was also the first time in Singapore's history that three brothers played for the national team. The Singapore team won 2–1, thanks to two goals from his younger brother Ikhsan.

On December 27, 2022, in matchday 3 of the 2022 AFF Championship group stage, he scored his second goal for Singapore against Laos. It was a diving header that made the score 1–0 in a 2–0 win.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances and Goals

International Appearances and Goals

International Goals for Singapore

Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.

No	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	10 October 2017	Köpetdag Stadium, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan	Turkmenistan	1–1	1–2	2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification
2	27 December 2022	New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos	Laos	1–0	2–0	2022 AFF Championship

International U23 Goals

No	Date	Venue	Opponent	Result	Competition
1	21 February 2015	Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore	Syria	1–2	U23 International Friendly
2	14 February 2015	Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore	Japan	1–8	U23 International Friendly
3	31 March 2015	New Laos National Stadium, Laos	Mongolia	2–2	2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
4	31 March 2015	New Laos National Stadium, Laos	Mongolia	2–2	2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
5	23 May 2015	Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore	Laos	5–1	U23 International Friendly
6	29 May 2015	Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore	East Timor	2–0	U23 International Friendly
7	20 June 2018	National Stadium, Singapore	Myanmar	0–2	Friendly
8	26 March 2019	MFF Football Centre, Mongolia	Mongolia	3–1	2020 AFC U-23 Championship qualification
9	5 December 2019	Rizal Memorial Stadium, Philippines	Brunei	7–0	2019 Southeast Asian Games

Football Achievements

Club Trophies

BG Pathum United

• Thai League 1: 2020–21
• Thai League 2: 2019
• Thailand Champions Cup: 2021, 2022
• Thai League Cup: 2023–24

Port F.C.

• Piala Presiden: 2025

ASEAN All-Stars

• Maybank Challenge Cup: 2025

International Trophies

Singapore U22

• Merlion Cup: 2019

Individual Awards

• Thai League Dream ASEAN XI
• ASEAN All-Stars: 2025