Republic of Ireland have learned how much they stand to earn if they make it to the World Cup proper next year.
Governing body, FIFA, announced this week that a massive 50 percent increase in prize money would be handed out.
That would mean that every qualifying nation would be guaranteed at least €8.95million.
The bare minimum amount would be €8.95m for countries who place between 33rd and 48th.
The winners who end up champions would rake in a massive €50m for their efforts which represents a significant boost.
As finances go, nations involved will also be given a further $1.5 million – €1.27m – for “preparation costs”.
That means each country is guaranteed €10.22m for qualifying.
Ireland are still in with a shout of making the 2026 tournament but have a playoff to contend with.
How much World Cup prize money Ireland will make for qualifying
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side will have to make it past Czechia in the semi-final of that playoff to stand a chance.
That tie is in March and would take them to the final against winners of Denmark vs North Macedonia.
Only through winning that match would they then earn the megabucks as part of the 48 involved in the competition.
Ireland already know which nations they would play if they can qualify for the tournament.
Winners: $50million
Runners-up: $33million
Third place: $29million
Fourth: $27million
5th-8th: $19million
9th-16th: $15million
17th-32nd: $11million
33rd-48th: $9million
Hosts Mexico would be one opponent before they then took on South Africa and South Korea in the groups.
The decision from FIFA comes amid uproar where ticket prices for the competition are concerned.
It is to be hosted by the USA, Mexico and Canada but brief prices have gone through the roof.
It was announced by FIFA that a limited number of discount tickets would be available for fans of participating countries, however that confirmation failed to alleviate the anger from punters who will be forced to shell out.
Fans in uproar over FIFA World Cup ticket pricing
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has come under fire in recent weeks after the prices were confirmed.
However, the Swiss-Italian chief claims the World Cup will be “groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community.”
It is anticipated that FIFA will clear $13BILLION come the end of next year over the four-year cycle.
That would see the body make a monumental $5.5B increase from the previous four-year cycle.
They claim that comes down, in part, to the expansion of the World Cup as well as the Club World Cup which was won by Chelsea last summer.
It is being reported that some tickets will be available for closer to traditional value at around €50, however only 10 percent of briefs within a specific allocation will be available at that price.