Fans request over 3.5 million World Cup tickets

RIO DE JANEIRO - Fans are requesting more than 3.5 million tickets during the second World Cup sales phase, world football's governing body FIFA said Thursday.

Requests came from 199 countries and regions with host nation Brazil comprising nearly 80 percent of the demand.

"With a little more than three million tickets available at the 12 (host) stadiums, the requests are at least 10 times more than the inventory we have available," said Thierry Weil, FIFA marketing director in charge of ticketing.

Nationals or residents of the 32 participating teams have until February 7 to request tickets on the FIFA website.

Successful applicants will be notified following an electronic draw supervised by Brazilian government officials next month.

The next sale phase begins March 12, offering tickets on a first come, first served basis.

The World Cup will be staged in 12 Brazilian cities from June 12 to July 13 this year.