Ireland the UK will jointly put their name in the hat to host the 2030 Fifa World Cup.
Two questions are now before the Irish Government; can we afford to and are we capable of hosting such a global event?
A feasibility study is underway to find out just that.
We've joined the @ScottishFA, @FAWales, @OfficialIrishFA and @FAIreland in welcoming the government's pledge of £2.8million towards a potential bid for the 2030 @FIFAWorldCup:
— The FA (@FA) March 1, 2021
It'll work out how many games Ireland would host, what demand it would place on infrastructure, the benefit for the economy as well as how much the State will have to put in the pot.
Junior Minister for Sports Jack Chambers says Dublin won't get all the glory and it will be an all island event.
FAI CEO, Jonathan Hill, on a potential 2030 World Cup bid for Ireland with Scotland, Wales and England:
“If you ask me the question: 'Do I believe we can win it?’ Yes, I do."
Between the four countries, the facilities are definitely there
🇮🇪🏴🏴🏴👀 pic.twitter.com/NfSNjDKdtb
— 🇮🇪☘️🇪🇺 (@IrishPropaganda) February 27, 2021
"I think we can present our credential to the globe."
Deputy Chambers said our "open and welcoming" country would be a right fit for the tournament.
World Cup Could See New Generation Fall In Love With The "Beautiful Game"
Meanwhile the benefit to Ireland's tourism industry would be huge.
Eoghan O'Mara Walsh from the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation says the event would put Ireland under the spotlight globally "for the very first time".
"We could showcase all that's good about our country in terms of the people, the culture, the history whilst also hosting the football games."
Martin Prendergast - Chair of the Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporters Club in London believes it will encourage young people to take up the sport.
"If we were looking forward to the World Cup in 2030 on our front doorstep that's really exciting."
He thinks an entire generation could fall in love with the beautiful game "like a generation did in 1990".
The joint bid will be formally submitted sometime between 2022 and 2024.
