FAI stands to earn at least €8.8m if Ireland qualify for 2026 World Cup

THE FAI WILL earn at least €8.8 million ($10.5m) in Fifa bonus payments if Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side qualify for next summer’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Fifa confirmed on Wednesday that each qualifying nation will receive €1.2 million ($1.5m) in preparation costs, and at least a further €7.6m ($9m) just for competing in the group stage.

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More than €40m ($50m) will be up for grabs for the winning nation at next summer’s World Cup, as a row over ticket prices for the tournament rages on.

The Fifa Council approved prize money for the tournament at a meeting in Doha on Wednesday, with the overall fund available to competing nations set at €619m ($727m), up 50% on the 2022 finals in Qatar.

The confirmation comes as fan groups accused Fifa of playing “PR games” over ticket prices.

Written by Press Association and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.