FIFA announced a 60 percent hike in prize money Thursday for next year's World Cup and the winners can bring home 31 million dollars. FIFA promised to offer frustrated Ireland "special compensation" for missing out due to French striker Thierry Henry's handball.

Emerging from a historic meeting on Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and current South African President Jacob Zuma were both jailed during the struggle against apartheid, FIFA's executive committee approved an increase in prize money for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa from 261 million dollars to 420 million dollars.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter is pictured during a media briefing on Robben Island Dec. 3, 2009. The winners of next year's World Cup final in South Africa will collect 31 million U.S. dollars in prize money, FIFA said on Thursday after their Executive Committee meeting in the historic setting of Robben Island

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke announced that the winners would take home 31 million dollars while each of the 32 teams would receive at least 9 million dollars if they do not progress from the first round.

Ireland won't get a cent, however, after losing in the playoffs when a Henry handball set up a vital equalizer for France by handball.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said that paying Ireland would lead to more countries demanding compensation for incorrect referees decisions. But he is considering some kind of special award or a prize for the Irish.

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