Football: One million World Cup tickets go on sale

Football: One million World Cup tickets go on sale

RIO DE JANEIRO - The first batch of nearly one million tickets for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil went on sale on the Internet on Tuesday.

The chase for tickets began at 1000 GMT, even though World Cup qualification is far from over and the draw for the final phase does not take place until December 6.

At least 300,000 of the tickets that went on sale are reserved for "those over 60 years old, students and recipients of the Bolsa Familia family grant", the International Football Federation (FIFA) said on its internet site.

Those tickets are branded Category 4, cost between US$15 and US$82.50 (S$19 and S$105), and are available only to Brazilians.

Foreigners can buy tickets in the other three categories, which cost much more.

Tickets in those categories for the opening match on June 12, 2014 at the Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo cost between US$220 and US$495 while those for the final at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana on July 13 will set back fans a minimum of US$440 up to US$990.

The first phase of sales, relating to around a third of the total number of tickets available, lasts until October 6, after which a ballot will be held to determine the successful applications.

So far only hosts Brazil, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Iran have booked their places at the finals.

The World Cup will take place across 12 cities with around 600,000 tourists expected to attend the tournament.

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