Nearly 5.5M tickets requested for 2014 World Cup

Brazil’s former World Cup champions, from left, Zagallo, Marcos, Rivellino, Amarildo who holds the World Cup, and Bebeto pose for a photo below the Christ the Redeemer statue at the launch of the FIFA WCUP Trophy Tour in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013. The trophy is set to embark on an extensive journey, covering more than 80 countries, giving the opportunity to millions of fans to see the authentic solid-gold trophy. Brazil will host the World Cup soccer tournament in 2014. AP

SAO PAULO — FIFA says it has received applications for nearly 5.5 million tickets for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, more than five times the number available in the first phase of sales.

Fans have until Thursday to place orders in the first phase of ticketing, when about 1 million are on offer. FIFA will hold a random draw for matches where the number of requests exceeds the available tickets. The second phase begins on Nov. 5 on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Brazilians made the majority of requests so far, followed by Americans, Argentines and Germans.

Organizers expect a total of nearly 3.3 million tickets to be available for the tournament.

Most of the applications were for the opener in Sao Paulo and the final at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.