 Between 1928 and 1946 the IFA were not affiliated to FIFA and the two "Ireland" teams co-existed, never competing in the same competition.Only in 1949, they both would participate in the qualifying tournament for the 1950 World Cup.During the Second World War all home internationals were suspended, however, during this period Ireland played an unofficial match against a combined services eleven, which was effectively a Great Britain side containing Matt Busby, Stanley Matthews, Tommy Lawton and Stan Mortensen.