FAI promise three tier league in new strategic plan

Qualifying for Euro 2024, ensuring that Vera Pauw's women’s team qualify for a major tournament and adding a third tier to the League of Ireland are among the goals set out in the FAI's strategy for the next three years.

Strategy 2022-2025 was launched on Monday evening by FAI CEO Jonathan Hill who called it a "document that will shape the future of Irish football over the next four years and beyond."

The document was put together after a series of meetings, consultations and in-depth interviews with over 500 people and promises to help to develop Irish soccer both domestic and internationally.

Among the main objectives is the development of a true football pyramid structure which will see the third tier in the League of Ireland by 2023 and a second tier in the Women’s National League by 2025.

This year's League of Ireland First Division will contain only nine teams following the amalgamation of Bray Wanderers and Cabinteely.

The FAI are also targeting a climb in European coefficient places, aiming for a move into the top 30 UEFA league co-efficient for the League of Ireland by 2025. The league is currently ranked 40th.

On the international front, qualification for Euro 2024 is the main men’s target while the Women’s World Cup and Euro 2025 are the aims for the women’s team.

Achieving and maintaining a world ranking inside the top 30 is the target for both teams.

Improving troubled finances for the organisation is high on the priority list and the FAI are hoping to see turnover exceed €50m by end of 2025 with deferred income below €10m and ring-fenced cash reserves of at least €6m

Equality is also on the agenda with the FAI aiming for at least a 40% female representation across FAI Board, General Assembly and Committees by end of