There will be just over two million tickets actually available for the World Cup scheduled for November and December, the first to be held in an Arab country.

"Qatari residents make up the bulk of this total, reached in just 20 days. Countless inquiries have also come in from strongholds and other key markets in world football, including England, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, France, India and Mexico," FIFA said in a statement.

The final, scheduled for December 18, is the match that has generated the most enthusiasm with 1.8 million requests.

The first phase of ticket sales for the World Cup, which began on January 19, ended on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. Doha time (11:00 GMT).

The answers as to the allocation of tickets will be made from March 8, it is indicated.

"Until then, subject to availability, the FIFA ticket office will communicate the dates of the next phase of sales, which will follow the principle of + first come, first served +", adds the press release.

According to the terms of sale put in place by the organizers, a lottery system allows international candidates to buy tickets for a price starting at 69 dollars (61 euros), for the group stage matches.

Residents of Qatar will have access to a preferential price category, which starts at 11 USD, or less than 10 EUR.

The flags of the countries already qualified for the Qatari World Cup float on the cornice of Doha, February 3, 2022 KARIM JAAFAR AFP / Archives

The price of a sesame for the final can reach 1,607 USD, around 1,400 EUR.

People who have applied for the different offers, depending on whether they prefer to book for a specific match, follow a particular team or book by stadium, are participating in a lottery whose first draw will take place on February 8.

Fifa hopes to raise more than $500 million from tickets, broadcasting rights and other commercial revenue from the World Cup.

© 2022 AFP