THE FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has received 17 million tickets requests from football fans across the globe during the first ticket sales period – which lasted 20 days – with the largest number of applicants coming from the host country.

According to Qatar News Agency (QNA), FIFA was also swamped with applications from football hotbeds and key markets, such as Argentina, Brazil, England, France, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and United States, during the opening random selection draw sales period.

The most sought-after ticket is for the finals at Lusail Stadium on December 18, with 1.8 million requests.

Following this first sales period, FIFA will verify whether the ticket requests meet the sales and household restrictions prior to allocating tickets, reported QNA.

All successful, partially successful and unsuccessful applicants will be duly notified of the outcome of their applications as of yesterday, along with the steps to follow and payment deadline for allocated tickets, it added.

By then and subject to availability, FIFA will advise on the timing of the upcoming first-come, first-served sales phase. – Bernama, February 9, 2022.