The staff and management of Jordan Grand Prix have been avidly following the FIFA World Cup football tournament in Japan and Korea thanks to particularly strong interest in the performances of England and Ireland, personal links with key personalities and also the involvement of team sponsor MasterCard International.

Dublin-born team boss Eddie Jordan registered Jordan Grand Prix with the FIA as an Irish team back in 1990, so interest in the Ireland team's performances is high.  Eddie was joined by fellow countrymen within the team in watching Ireland draw 1-1 with Germany yesterday afternoon thanks to a last minute equalizer by Robbie Keane.  Jordan's links with the Irish team include a friendly relationship with Manager Mick McCarthy and also its former Captain Roy Keane who was the subject of much controversy recently following a falling out with McCarthy which resulted in Keane being sent home.  McCarthy has been a friend of Eddie Jordan's for several years, while Keane attended last year's French Grand Prix as a a guest of the team.

With Ireland having drawn against both Germany and Cameroon, a 2-0 win over their next opponents Saudi Arabia would guarantee qualification for the next round of the World Cup.  Eddie Jordan ranks Ireland's defeat of Italy in New York during the 1994 World Cup as the non-motorsport highlight of his career, and he will be keenly following their progress over the next few weeks.

The majority of staff at Jordan's Silverstone and Brackley facilities are English and their following of the England team's fortunes will be made easier tomorrow when the company shows the England V Argentina clash live to all staff.  England's goal scorer in its opening match against Sweden, Sol Campbell, was a guest of Jordan at the Monaco Grand Prix two years ago, so again a strong personal interest backs up the patriotic following for the England team.  The England Argentina game is also going to be shown in the DHL Jordan Honda paddock suite tomorrow morning when the British Media gather for their usual Friday morning press breakfast with the team.

MasterCard International, a sponsor of Jordan since 1997, is one of the major sponsors of the World Cup and their involvement in this year's event is being supported by major promotions and events world wide.  MasterCard's ambassador in football is none other than Brazilian superstar Pele, who has attended several joint events with Jordan personnel in recent years.  Jordan's Head of Marketing Mark Gallagher was a guest of MasterCard at the last World Cup held in France, and recalls the spectacle of watching the opening match between Brazil and Scotland in the Stade de France in Paris.

"In terms of a sporting spectacle it was quite outstanding, a real show which could not fail to impress," he said.  "It was terrific to be there as a guest of MasterCard International because everything was organised superbly and the tickets and viewing were faultless.  Whether you are a follower of football or not, the World Cup is a 'must see' event and I think a lot of people in Europe are already looking forward to the next one in Germany in four years time.  In the meantime our own links with the Ireland and England teams mean that, for the moment at least, there is considerable fascination with following the current World Cup - though we won't be letting it get in the way of the main business this weekend in Montreal."

Jordan's two drivers, Giancarlo Fisichella and Takuma Sato, are also following the fortunes of their national teams, Fisichella confident that Italy can qualify for the final stages, while Taku is pleased that his home country is hosting the prestigious event and hopes to see the Japanese team do well.

The World Cup can be following on line at www.fifaworldcup.com and on MasterCard International's site at wcup.mastercard.com or www.mastercard.com