Republic of Ireland defender Harriet Scott has expressed her sympathy and support for World Cup group rivals Canada, who are currently embroiled in a fallout with their own federation.
Scott has been involved in the senior Irish set-up since 2017. That was the year Ireland threatened to go on strike as they fought the FAI for the most basic standards of preparation.
They won that fight - and haven't looked back since - but the memories are still fresh. For Scott, solidarity is crucial in the wider battle to continue the growth of women's football in all countries.
Olympic champions Canada are one of the best teams in the world, but things are not rosy in the garden. Last week they abandoned plans to strike following threats of legal action from Canada Soccer.
Both Canada's women's and men's teams have issued statements complaining about budget cuts for the women's team which the players said threatened to compromise their ability to perform at the World Cup.
Scott empathises. "It's never nice to see that there are disputes between a team and their federation," said the Birmingham City defender.
"There's obviously reasons behind it, none of us know the full story, but at the moment, we just want every team to be as supported as they should be because it’s a growing game and a growing sport and it needs the full support and backing.
"We’re fortunate that at this moment we’re in a really good place with the FAI and the support we get from the FAI. That came from having some very tough conversations a few years ago so all I’m hoping for with Canada is that both sides have a resolution to the dispute they’re having at the moment.
"All we want is people performing at their best and every country getting the support they need."
She'd be forgiven for thinking Canada's problems may not be a bad thing for Ireland, who face the world number six team in their second group game in July. However, that's not how Scott sees it.
"I personally would like to play a team not when they’re down, I want to play a team when they are at their absolute best; so that we can perform at our best and still compete with them.
"A few years ago we played the Netherlands just after they won the Euros. They were at their absolute peak, so when we went away and got a draw, that was probably the most satisfying result for me. I want to compete against Canada when they are flying really."
Scott, who has just turned 30, is a qualified physiotherapist and will soon graduate from Keele University with a degree in medicine.
Last September she was named in the first XI for the crucial qualifier in Slovakia - her first start since in almost two years. Scott delivered a typically solid performance but there's no doubt the competition for a place in the 23-player World Cup squad is intense, with the addition of Manchester United's Aoife Mannion adding another layer to the scramble for a spot in defence.
It means this week's training camp and friendly against China in Spain comes with an edge. Everybody is desperate to put their hand up.
"There's 23 spots for players and I think everyone is very aware of that.
"Having said that we are a very tightknit group, we’ve always got on, every year I’ve been involved in the team it’s been a very tightknit group. Nothing is going to change that.
"At the end of the day all we want is to play for our country and represent our nation. If some of us don’t make it we’ll still be proud of the people who do.
"When I came into the senior side, how we were then and how we are now is day and night."
"It’s an elite level sport. What we want to do is have that competition and thrive on it. If there is more competition we welcome it. Those new players that come in, as long as they’re passionate about what we’re passionate about, they buy into what we by into, they represent us well, then I think that’s all you can ask for as a nation."
A player who has always displayed an ability to look at the bigger picture, Scott is aware that the last six years have been seismic for Irish women's football.
They have broken down so many barriers, and they aren't finished yet.
"When I came into the senior side, how we were then and how we are now is day and night. It’s a massive difference," she said.
"That’s because of the fight the girls put in to got us to make some steps forward with the FAI and as a team. If you’d have told me we’d be going to the World Cup this year I’m not sure I’d have believed you six years ago.
"I don’t know if we were at that point. Now I look around the team and see the quality we have as players, and where people are playing, I think we deserve to be there.
"We’re just really excited gong forward. It’s a massive thing for the country and for football in Ireland. We just want the nation to get behind us and hopefully we can see an improvement for girls and boys as much as we can in the country.
"That’s exactly what we want - we want to inspire as many people as we can."
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