FIFA is advancing payments to its 211 member associations to help lighten the financial load during the COVID-19 shutdown. 

Each member nation will receive $500,000 (€463,000) three-months early.

Member associations are entitled to $6million (€5.6million) from world football's governing body for every World Cup cycle of four years.

The next instalment was due to be paid in July but are being paid early as FIFA say to ease the "severe financial distress" that some associations are enduring through a lack of football.

On Thursday, Interim FAI Deputy CEO Niall Quinn told Newstalk Breakfast that FIFA could still play a part in helping football associations in need.

"There's also now at the moment the possibility of a contribution from FIFA", Quinn said.

"I think UEFA have been very good to us, I think the Government have been very good to us, so we wouldn't refuse anything, but FIFA have expressed a public willingness to assist associations hit hard in the current pandemic."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Friday, "The pandemic has caused unprecedented challenges for the entire football community and, as the world governing body, it is FIFA’s duty to be there and support the ones that are facing acute needs."

He added that there are further measures in the pipeline, "This is the first step of a far-reaching financial relief plan we are developing to respond to the emergency across the whole football community.

"Together with our stakeholders, we are we assessing the losses and we are working on the most appropriate and effective tools to implement the other stages of this relief plan."

A statement adds, "This financial relief plan is possible thanks to the strong financial position that FIFA has been able to consolidate over the past four years.

"The next stages of the plan are currently being finalised and will be communicated in due course."