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Paul Rouse: ‘The People’s Game’ has priced its greatest competition for very few people

Supporters will need deep pockets to be at this summer's Fifa World Cup.

Thu, 23 Apr, 2026 - 22:09

Paul Rouse is an historian, author, broadcaster… and former Offaly football boss. He specialises in sport and Irish culture.

The fact that Ireland did not make it to the FIFA World Cup continues to nag away.

But what if the only antidote is to head to America to see a match?

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<p>GOLDEN BALLS: The FIFA 'Peace Prize', presented to US President Donald Trump at the 2025 World Cup Draw sits alongside the World Cup Trophy in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC. Pic: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images</p>

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