World Cup qualification would considerably ease the FAI's debt

Progression in the tournament could go a long way towards wiping it out

The prize at stake for reaching this year’s World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the USA is just north of €7.5 million. It would be a handsome payday for the Football Association of Ireland which is riddled with debt, €42 million of it to be precise. Of course it’s a big ask to go where no Irish team has gone since 2002, with wins required against the Czech Republic in Prague and either Denmark/North Macedonia a couple of days later in Dublin at the end of March required.