FIFA president Sepp Blatter yesterday revealed the Football Association of Ireland had asked "very humbly" to be the 33rd team at next summer's finals in South Africa.

The move comes in the wake of the controversial play-off defeat to France last month, when Thierry Henry twice handled the ball in the build-up to an equaliser from William Gallas which saw Raymond Domenech's side through 2-1 on aggregate.

FIFA have already ruled out replaying the game but Blatter felt his organisation had a duty to respond to the appeal at tomorrow's extraordinary executive committee meeting in Cape Town.

Speaking at the Soccerex conference in Johannesburg, Blatter said: "We received a delegation from Ireland in Zurich on Friday and they were naturally absolutely unhappy at what has happened.

"They have not asked for any sanctions but have asked, very humbly, whether they could be team number 33 at the World Cup."

"I will bring it to the attention of the executive committee but if we do that, we will also have to bring in Costa Rica."