FIFA kicks in $600,000 for FIFA 2018 World Cup playoff travel costs

FIFA will pay 0,000 to help teams travel to two inter-continental World Cup playoffs. (Source: File)

FIFA will pay $600,000 to help teams travel to two inter-continental World Cup playoffs next month. FIFA says it will contribute $150,000 each toward travel costs for the soccer federations of Australia, Honduras, New Zealand and Peru.

New Zealand media this week reported that soccer officials made their case to FIFA for financial help toward chartering a plane. There are no direct flights to get the All Whites team from the first leg in Wellington on November 11 to the return game in Lima on Nov. 15.

Honduras hosts Australia in San Pedro Sula on November 10, and the second leg is November 15 in Sydney. Intercontinental playoffs decide the final two places in the 32-team World Cup lineup. The draw will be on Dec. 1 in Moscow.