The FAI today said it was continuing efforts to lure either Argentina or the United States to Lansdowne Road for a friendly on April 17th.
Argentina had originally been pencilled in for the date but recent reports suggest the fee being demanded by the South Americans is too high, prompting the FAI to turn to the United States instead.
"We are still in talks with both countries" said a spokesperson "but as yet no final decision has been reached. We will be playing one or the other, certainly not both."
Argentina have been pitted in the same World Cup group as England and are keen to take on similar opposition as part of their preparation. It is believed that, should they fail to reach agreement with Ireland, Scotland would be happy to meet them.
A meeting with the United States, then, appears the more likely arrangement. That would see the Americans third visit to these shores.
Coach Bruce Arena will hoping for better results than the previous two; a 3-1 defeat at Dalymount Park in October 1979, and a 4-1 loss at Lansdowne Road in April 1992.
Perhaps more significantly, though, it would be only the US’s second trip abroad since the events of September 11th (the first saw them lose 1-0 to South Korea). It is expected the Irish players will donate their match fees to the New York Fire Department.
Ireland’s World Cup build-up, therefore, will feature home friendlies against Russia (February 13th), Denmark (March 27th), USA or Argentina, and Nigeria (May 17th), plus a clash with J-league side Hiroshima in Japan on May 25th.