World Cup ticket sales start Thursday

FIFA announced Tuesday that ticket sales for the 2018 World Cup will begin on Thursday, nine months to the day that the tournament kicks off in Russia.

"Fans all over the world will also be able to book their place as ticket sales for the tournament start exclusively on FIFA.com/tickets," world football's governing body said.

FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura said the ticketing system will give fans "a fair chance" to secure tickets for the June 14-July 15 extravaganza.

The sales process has been divided into two phases.

During the first period, which starts on Thursday and finishes on October 12, fans will be able to submit their ticket applications.

All applicants will be duly notified of the outcome of their applications before the second phase gets underway after the draw for the finals takes place on December 1.

The tickets purchased during both sales phases will be delivered free of charge to applicants in the weeks leading up to the tournament, with deliveries planned to start in April.

FIFA says that at the request of Russian authorities everyone attending World Cup matches will need to receive a FanID, the official identity document issued to the fans.

The FanID and a valid ticket are required to enter the World Cup venues.

Having a FanID gives supporters some additional benefits and services provided by the host country, such as visa-free entry to the Russian Federation, certain free inter-host city travel and free use of public transport on matchdays.

The World Cup will be played at 12 venues in 11 Russian cities -- Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan, Saransk, Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Nizhny Novgorod, Yekaterinburg and Samara.

Source: AFP